The Seattle area has introduced a new digital ORCA card option for transit riders, which can be accessed through Google Wallet on Android and Wear OS devices. This digital card allows users to pay for transit, add funds to their account, purchase a pass, view transactions, and see trip history, all within the Google Wallet app. The digital ORCA card serves as a replacement for the traditional plastic ORCA cards, offering a more convenient and modern payment option for transit users.
To add the digital ORCA card to their Google Wallet, users need to open the app, select “add to wallet,” choose transit pass, search for “ORCA,” and tap on the ORCA card option. Current holders of physical ORCA cards can convert them into digital cards on Google Wallet at no additional cost. Passes and balances from the physical card will be transferred to the digital card, and the plastic card will be deactivated. The cost for adding a new adult digital ORCA card to the wallet is $3, the same as for a physical card.
Customers are advised to check with their issuer to ensure that their cards issued by businesses, schools, or organizations are compatible with Google Wallet. The digital ORCA card is currently only available for use with ORCA cards, and credit and debit cards from Google Wallet cannot be used to pay for transit in the Seattle area at this time. Participating transit agencies include Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Washington State Ferries.
The digital ORCA card service was first announced in October and is now available to provide users with a more convenient and efficient way to pay for transit in the Seattle area. This new option allows riders to manage their transit payments and accounts directly through their Google Wallet app, eliminating the need for physical cards. Additionally, the digital ORCA card offers features such as the ability to view transaction history and purchase passes within the app, making it easier for users to navigate the transit system.
For iOS and Android users, the Transit GO app provides a similar payment option for Metro Transit buses, SoundTransit trains, and other transit methods in the Seattle area. However, the digital ORCA card through Google Wallet specifically caters to Android and Wear OS devices, offering a more seamless and integrated payment experience for those users. By providing a digital alternative to traditional plastic cards, the ORCA card aims to modernize the transit payment process and make it more convenient for riders to access and use public transportation services across the Seattle area.
Overall, the introduction of the digital ORCA card through Google Wallet represents a step forward in the evolution of transit payment options in the Seattle area. By enabling users to manage their transit fares and accounts through their mobile devices, the digital ORCA card offers a more user-friendly and efficient way to pay for public transportation services. With the ability to add, view, and use their digital cards within the Google Wallet app, riders can now enjoy a more streamlined experience when traveling on buses, ferries, and trains across the Seattle region.
