Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You don’t need to replace your card, all cards will work (Adult, LIFT, Senior, Disabled, Youth, Employee Cards, all RRFP cards). You’ll be able to continue using your card while also taking advantage of the improvements that the new system has to offer. Management of your existing card will move to myORCA.com or on the myORCA app for iOS or Android.

The new and improved ORCA is an upgraded fare payment system that is used by transit agencies in the Puget Sound region. These include Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit​, Sound Transit ​and Washington State Ferries. It builds on the existing ORCA system and offers transit riders new and improved ways to pay their fare.

ORCA customers and transit riders were asked to comment on the current ORCA system. Over 2,600 people responded. Customers confirmed that ORCA has made traveling throughout the region easier. The feedback we received from the survey led us to keep the things customers like and ensure the new ORCA will now:

• Offer a mobile app to manage your account today and pay your fare in 2023 on iOS and Android devices
• Instantly load value and products to your ORCA account
• Offer more retail locations to buy ORCA cards and add value later this summer
• Feature an improved website that makes it easier to manage your account

You can add fare value in real-time, manage your account from anywhere with the new myORCA App or myORCA.com website, which replaces orcacard.com and orcacard.biz, and find more retail locations. There are new ORCA card readers and vending machines across the region.

With the new and improved ORCA system, you have the flexibility to keep using the card you have. If you load your ORCA card at retail stores, you will need a new, re-designed card later this summer 2022.

If you share an ORCA card with someone, each rider will now need their own card to ride transit. Group fares for school trips and caregivers will still be available.

Later in 2022 going into 2023, we’ll launch a new card and increase the number of stores where ORCA cards are sold, as well as add more ways to pay, including tap-to-pay with your smartphone.

myORCA.com replaces orcacard.com and orcacard.biz and you can also download the mobile app, myORCA, for iOS and Android devices. The new website and app will be easier to use and include new account management tools and features, which include instant fare loading and multiple card management capabilities. Later in 2023, we’ll offer the option to go cardless, with a tap-to-pay virtual card feature on your mobile device.

You can also manage your account at a physical location, such as a participating retail store, ORCA vending machine or via in-person customer service.

Learn more about where to buy here.

No, it is not required. If you wish to view your card balance online, you will need to create a new account and link your card on myORCA.com or the myORCA app. You can load value without logging in here. You can also add value to your card at a physical location, such as a participating retail store, ORCA vending machine or via in-person customer service. Find a location here.

Yes. If you had one on our previous website, orcacard.com, you will need to create a new account and set up your autoload again on myORCA.com or via the app. Here is a quick how-to video on how you can do this.

You can replace your ORCA card online, over the phone, at a customer service office or through the mail. The card will be blocked and no longer valid for fare payment. Once the card has been replaced, the card cannot be unblocked. If your card is managed by your employer or another organization, please contact them for replacement.  

To replace your ORCA card online, login to your My ORCA account, select “Replace card” from the “MY ORCA cards” menu, and choose the card (must have Full Access). Follow the prompts and pay the $3 replacement fee. A replacement ORCA card will be mailed to you within 5-7 business days. If you have a valid pass, E-Purse, and/or active Autoload, it will transfer to the replacement card automatically in a paused state. Visit your account online to un-pause the Autoload once you receive the card. The new card will come already registered.  

If you do not have a My ORCA account, call ORCA Customer Service at 888-988-6722 /TTY:711 to order your replacement card over the phone. If you need a replacement card sooner, please visit an ORCA customer service office instead. To replace via mail, complete the ORCA Card Order/Add Value form and mail it with payment for the $3 replacement fee to the address on the form. 

Between May and late Summer 2022, while we make improvements to our retail network, you’ll experience temporary changes to how you use ORCA cards at stores:

• You will only be able to load E-purse value to your ORCA card
• There will be a temporary loading delay when you load funds to your card at a retail location of up to one hour

Once the expanded retail network is launched later this summer, instant loading will resume at retail locations and you will need a new re-designed card to use ORCA at stores.

There will be at least twice as many retail locations for purchasing ORCA cards and loading value starting later in 2022. We expect even more locations to join the ORCA retail network over time.

As part of the new ORCA system, we are replacing ORCA vending machines and card readers. This means you may come across older equipment as well as new equipment. You might also notice that some equipment will be out of service or unavailable from time to time. The upgrade process is designed so that your card will work on both old and new equipment. All you need to do is keep tapping on any ORCA device!

Nothing, but if desired, you can connect it to the myORCA website and app if you wish to load additional products or purse value in addition to what is provided by your employer.

If you are looking to purchase an ORCA card, prices have been lowered from $5.00 to $3.00.

When re-loading your card at a retail store, you can now only load E-purse value (add money) to your ORCA card. Pass products are no longer available for purchase at a store.

Customers can convert their E-purse value loaded from a store to a pass online, via the myORCA app and website, or by calling or visiting a customer service location. Read more about how to do this here.

Starting in Fall 2022, ORCA will expand the number of retail stores around the region. Over the next few years we will double the number of stores available for our customers to purchase new, black ORCA cards and reload E-purse value to a new card. A greater variety of stores will be coming to the ORCA network as well, including more store brands and locally owned businesses!

Still have questions? Visit our informational webpage with more information about using ORCA at retail stores here.

Here are some helpful videos about ORCA stores currently in our network and what services they will be able to provide to our customers:

Safeway and Albertson’s Stores: watch video.

QFC and Fred Meyer Stores: watch video.

To learn more about what card you have, read our article.

Still have questions? Visit our informational webpage with more information about using ORCA at retail stores here.

The answer is it depends on what store you go to.

Visit our informational webpage to learn more about changes and improvements at your store here.

The ORCA retail network is made up of retail merchants and stores, such as grocery and convenience stores, across the central Puget Sound region where customers may purchase and/or load value to their ORCA cards.

Over the next few years, we will be expanding the number of stores that sell ORCA cards, including new retail chains and locally owned businesses. This will make purchasing new ORCA cards and adding value to ORCA cards much easier and more accessible.

You will earn a commission on all cards sold and value-loaded at your location. Additionally, you will receive marketing support including a kit of ORCA branded marketing items to let customers know that they can purchase and/or add value to ORCA cards at your location, increasing your foot traffic.

If you would like to participate in our retail network, you can learn more by contacting Jay Love at Ready Credit Corporation at 856-745-0699 or by emailing jay@readycreditcorp.com.

The new ORCA system will have the same passes and products today including monthly and daily regional passes and the ability to load E-purse.

Having an ORCA card allows you to ride and transfer between all seven participating transit agencies in the Puget Sound region*. Most transfers are free, and purchasing ORCA passes saves you money! You can register your card for balance protection, avoid using cash to pay for your ride and enjoy faster boarding.

*Some exclusions apply on special trips and Washington State Ferries.

Yes! Youth cards, Regional Reduced Fare Permits, and ORCA LIFT cards are a part of the improved ORCA system. We’re making it easier to apply online so those who can’t apply in person can still participate.If you would like to know more about reduced fare programs and find out if you qualify, visit our ways to save page.

We have different solutions to help our customers. A good resource to figure out which card is right for you is on our ways to save page.