Introducing a New and Improved ORCA

If you’ve traversed the Puget Sound region using public transportation in the last 10 years, odds are you paid your fare using an ORCA Card. Since 2009, these little blue pieces of plastic have made it easy and convenient for riders to connect to different transit systems throughout the region.

Starting this spring, the decade-old fare payment system – which is accepted on seven different transit agencies, including Kitsap Transit – is getting a big upgrade.

The new and improved ORCA will include a mobile app with the ability to instantly load value and products to your ORCA account, more retail locations at which to purchase or reload an ORCA card, an improved website and a sleek new black ORCA card design.

Changes are already starting to roll out, and there’s a lot of helpful information on myORCA’s new website. We’ve gathered a few of the most important resources for Kitsap Transit riders below. You can also check out this blog post for a complete timeline of the changes.

Here’s what’s changing, and when:

A new website and app: The myORCA informational website is live right now, and it’s full of helpful info! ORCA’s new full site and mobile app will launch this spring, and you’ll be able to use both to access and manage your account on the go. For more info, check out this blog post at myORCA.com.

New ads will start appearing on buses soon!

Expanded retail network: Later this summer, ORCA will more than double the number of retail locations where riders can buy and reload ORCA cards, including pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores and local markets. This step also will include the launch of a new ORCA card design.

While you can continue using your existing blue ORCA card on the website and app, there will be a few changes to how the card works at retail stores. For all the details about the retail expansion process, read this post at myORCA.com.

Business portal: The new ORCA website will include a new business account management portal that will let administrators and employees more easily access their accounts. Bulk purchase passes, funds transfers between accounts, automatic reloads, and more will be available on the new ORCA site.

This article has all the information you need about the changes.

Tap-to-pay and reduced fare options: Eventually, ORCA will add more ways to pay, including tap-to-pay with your smartphone. All of the existing reduced fare options, including ORCA LIFT, will be available on the new system. Check out the new and improved ORCA system Frequently Asked Questions page here.

Stay up to date: You can expect to see advertisements for the new system on transit vehicles across the Puget Sound soon. The team behind ORCA is pushing out new updates all the time, so make sure to follow them on social media (@TheORCACard) for the latest info! You can also sign up for their newsletter here.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Headways newsletter too, as we will be pushing out Kitsap Transit-specific ORCA news and updates!