Public transit riders in the Seattle area will soon be able to pay for buses, ferries, and trains with a single RFID card. They call it the “ORCA Card” which stands for “One Regional Card for All.” And if you’ve ever been to the Pacific Northwest, you’ll be quick to pick up on the fact that the ORCA name also pays homage to the region’s beloved orca whales.

Riders will be able to access ferries, busses, and trains by tapping the ORCA card up to a special reader. Each card contains a 13.56 MHz passive RFID tag that allows passengers to load funds onto an account. Every time they transit vehicle in Seattle or neighboring counties, the fare is then drawn from that account. Additional funds can be loaded onto the card at a vending machine, or at an agency office.
In the past, each transit system had its own fare system which resulted in riders having to carry multiple passes and tickets. Now, riders will simply have to carry a single ORCA card to travel the region. The new system is set to launch this fall.
Learn more about transit passes…