ORCA launches Tap to Pay for Kitsap Transit buses; feature coming soon for ferries

A customer taps a debit card on an ORCA card reader to pay their bus fare.

Tap to Pay is now live across the majority of ORCA's system, including Kitsap Transit buses! 

Tap to Pay lets riders pay their transit fare using physical credit and debit cards, or credit cards in digital wallets. This is especially beneficial for visitors and infrequent riders who may not have ORCA cards.

Tap to Pay is not yet available on Kitsap Transit fast ferries or foot ferries, but will be soon.

Here's how it works: 

How to Use Tap to Pay

• Tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Discover Network, or American Express credit or debit card on an ORCA card reader to pay your fare.

• Tap one of the above-mentioned card types stored in a digital wallet using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.

Additional Tap to Pay Details

• Riders using Tap to Pay are charged an adult fare and will receive the standard ORCA 2-hour transfer benefit, allowing for seamless transfers across Puget Sound.

• Riders that receive transit discounts (Senior, Youth, ORCA LIFT, Disabled) or utilize other passes should continue to use their ORCA cards. 

• Each rider needs to pay using their own card. Customers cannot pay for multiple riders or groups using one card or device.

• Remove card from wallet: Do not tap your entire wallet on the card reader. Take out the credit or debit card you wish to use before tapping to avoid unwanted charges on other cards or tap failures.

• If you have both an ORCA card and a credit or debit card in Google Wallet, the card reader should default to charging your digital ORCA card when tapped. If you wish to use a digital credit or debit card, select that form of payment on your smart device before tapping.

A customer uses a debit card in a digital wallet to pay their fare.

Where to Use Tap to Pay

Tap to Pay is available on most ORCA services like buses, trains, and select ferries. It is not available on the following services:

• Seattle Monorail

• Washington State Ferries

• King County Metro DART, ACCESS, Community Vans, Metro Flex

• Community Transit DART, Zip Shuttle

• Pierce Transit SHUTTLE, Pierce Transit Runner

• Everett Transit Paratransit

Tap to Pay will come soon to the following services:

• Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries & Foot Ferries

• King County Water Taxi

If you have additional questions, view ORCA’s detailed Tap to Pay FAQ page.