Navigating the myORCA App

The myORCA app is the new app that allows you to manage your ORCA account and card(s) on the go.

The myORCA app makes managing your account much easier and more convenient. Families and groups that have an account can use the new app to:

1. Manage multiple cards on one account
2. Load value instantly to your ORCA card on the go
3. Move balances between cards
4. Block lost cards to protect the balance
5. Buy e-purse value or monthly passes with multiple payment methods
6. Set up autoloads on your card

You do not need an account to use the app if you do not want one, instead, you can log in as a guest and use a basic version of the app. 

If you use the myORCA app as a guest, the basics include:

1. Entering your card number to add E-purse value or pass product instantly from your phone
2. Entering your card number to check your balance from your phone

Downloading the myORCA app

Android: Google Play Store

To download the app, open up the Google Play Store and search "myORCA". Follow the directions to download and set up the myORCA app.

iOS: Apple App Store

To download the app, open the Apple App Store and search "myORCA". Follow the directions to download and set up the myORCA app.

 

Opening the myORCA App

Let’s start at the launch screen of the myORCA app. 

Starting from top to bottom:

1. Sign up: To sign up, you will need an active email and to create a password and security questions for your account.

To sign up for a new account, there are a few required fields:

1. First name
2. Last name
3. Primary email address
   1. The primary email address will function as the username for your account when signing in. Additionally, ORCA-related notifications and password reset links will be sent to this email.
4. Password
   1. Requirements include a minimum of 8 characters, including at least one of each: number, upper case, lower case, and special character.
5. Confirm you are 13 years of age or older
   1. Users must be 13 years of age or older to create an account due to Washington State minor privacy laws

After filling out the required fields and clicking "next", you will need to create two answers after picking from drop-down list of security questions. Establishing security questions ensures your account will stay secure. 

NOTE: When creating security answers, do not add an extra space after the last character of your answer. If extra space is added, the space will be required when inputting your answers. Security answers can be changed at any time within your account settings. Learn more about account settings in the myORCA Account Homepage section. 

After reviewing and accepting the ORCA terms of use and privacy policy, click "I'm not a robot" and "Sign Up". 

You will then receive a verification email immediately to your primary email address where you can activate your account and log in. The activation email will be valid for 24 hours after receipt. 

If you need help with your security questions or forgot your email address on your account, please contact us. 

2. Sign In: Enter your email and password credentials to sign in to your myORCA account. If you created an account on myORCA.com, the same credentials will work on the myORCA app to access your account. 

3. Continue as Guest: If you do not have an ORCA account, you can still reload your card, check your card balance, or get an ORCA card without having an account login. If you have an ORCA card, you can instantly add funds to your card by inputting your card number, security code, and balance protection code (if you have a protection code). 

 

Navigating the myORCA App

Once you have created an account and logged in, you will be directed to the cards screen below. We can separate the main homepage into two separate sections, the "+" on the header of the screen, and the four links at the footer of the screen: "Cards", "Cart", Account", and "More".

 

ORCA "+" Header, Adding or Purchasing an ORCA Card

In the upper right-hand corner of the "Cards" screen, and the default screen when you log into the app, the "+" screen gives you three different options for app activities when clicked: "link a card", "order a physical card" or "find a store or vending machine"

Link a card: To add an existing card(s) to your account, input your card number, security code, and balance protection code (if you have a protection code). After clicking "link my card", your card will be visible under "cards". Once your card(s) are linked to your account, you are able to click on each card and add or transfer money, add a pass, set up an autoload, report a card as lost or stolen/lock the card, replace the card, and unlink the card from your account if needed. You can also view the activity on your card.

Order a physical card: If you need to order a physical Adult ORCA card, you can click on this link to purchase a new Adult Card for $3.00. You also have the option to link the new card to your account and add money or passes. If you need to purchase another card type, you can do so on our website https://www.myorca.com/buy-online/. 

Find a store or vending machine: If you need to find an ORCA vending machine, ORCA customer service location, or store where ORCA cards are reloaded and sold, you can click this link which will take you to the "where to buy" map on myORCA.com. Here, you are able to search for locations by address or distance.

 

The myORCA app Footer

Cards: In this view, you are able to see all of your cards, card types, nicknames, and balances all in one place. Once your card(s) are linked to your account, you are able to click on each card and add or transfer money, add a pass, set up an autoload, report a card as lost or stolen/lock the card, replace the card, and unlink the card from your account if needed. You can also view the activity on your card.

Cart: In this view, you can see what money, products, or cards you have waiting to be purchased. You can also remove money, passes, or cards before checking out.

Account: In the account tab, you can manage your payment methods, account settings, view your order history, and sign out from the app. In the payment methods tab, you can link multiple debit or credit cards to your account that can be used when purchasing money, passes or ORCA cards. In account settings, you can manage your account details and personal information, as well as Vanpool information. In this section, you are also able to delete your myORCA account. In order history, you are able to view your orders and filter by month and year as well as use sorting filters to view your order history.

More: The more tab gives you a variety of different options:

• Contact us: Fill out an online form to contact ORCA customer service with questions or any card/fare/account issues 
• Pay for vanpool: Pay all or part of your monthly vanpool fare for the current or next month
• FAQ: Visit our FAQ section to find answers to common questions
• Where to buy: View our interactive map to discover all the locations you can buy and reload an ORCA card
• Trip planners: Use a direct link to access Apple or Google maps, as well as visit the Puget Sound trip planner to help plan your next transit trip
• Rideshare: Learn more about rideshare options in the Puget Sound region
• About ORCA: Visit the ORCA Help Center to learn more about ORCA cards, passes and products, and ORCA news
• Transit agencies: Visit participating ORCA transit agency websites
• ORCA passes: Learn more about which ORCA card and pass product is right for you
• ORCA Business: Discover more about our ORCA for Business programs
• News: Visit the ORCA news section to stay up-to-date on ORCA feature releases and other important news about ORCA
• Social media: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube @TheORCACard
• About this app: See what app version and service version you are using, and read open-source licensing
• Terms of use: Read the ORCA terms of use
• Privacy policy: Read the ORCA privacy policy

Managing ORCA Cards on the myORCA App

Once you have an ORCA card(s) added to the myORCA app, you can click on each card to manage your balance and autoloads, view activity, transfer money between cards, and add E-purse and Pass products. All funds added to cards or transferred will happen instantaneously.

 

Adding Money (E-purse)

In the card tab, you can click the "add money" button to add E-purse funds to your card. You must add a minimum of $5.00 to a card, with a maximum of $400 to a card. Once you have entered the amount of money you would like to add to your card, you can either purchase the funds immediately or add them to your shopping cart if you wish to add more ORCA products.

Tip: Add a payment method under the "Account" tab before adding money or passes to your card

Adding Pass Products

In the card tab, click "add pass". Choose between either an all-day or monthly Puget Pass, which works across all ORCA participating transit agencies, or an agency-specific pass. Once you select the pass product you wish to purchase, you can either purchase the pass immediately or add them to your shopping cart if you wish to add more ORCA Products.

Learn more about ORCA pass/E-purse product recommendations in the below section, "Which ORCA Fare is Right for Me". 

 

Setting up Autoloads

E-purse:

You can create and manage automatic E-purse Autoloads for one or more of your ORCA Cards.

• A Threshold Autoload adds a preset amount to a card when it drops below a specific value. There can be only one E-purse Threshold Autoload per card.
• A Time-Based Autoload adds a preset amount on a specific date. There can be multiple Time-Based Autoloads per Card.

To set up an Autoload:

• Enter the Autoload type and tap the "I agree to the terms and service" after reviewing
• Tap Autoload when balance is low or Autoload once a month.

1. Autoload when balance is low:

• Enter a dollar amount: the balance must drop below the amount entered before triggering an Autoload, e.g., you enter $10.00 for the When balance is below

1. Autoload once a month: Select the day to add the Autoload, the amount of the Autoload, and the card to Autoload.

To pause your Autoload:

• Tap Pause autoload on the Manage Autoload screen: the Pause autoload screen shows.
• Tap PAUSE AUTOLOAD to return to the Manage E-purse

• To remove an Autoload from an E-purse, tap Remove Autoload on the Manage Autoload screen

 

Passes:

• Tap TURN ON AUTOLOAD from the Manage Pass view.
  
  • The Autoload Payment Method field populates with your Primary Payment Method.
  • Tap the ˅ to launch the Payment Method
  • Tap + Add backup payment to specify a backup payment option to use if the Primary Payment Method fails.
  • Tap SPLIT PAYMENT to split the Autoload across multiple Payment Methods.
  • After completing the form, tap TURN ON AUTOLOAD to initiate the following actions:
    • Saves the Pass Autoload
    • The Manage Pass screen shows
    • The Manage Pass screen Pass Autoload section updates
    • Autoload off changes to Autoload on
      

      

Which ORCA Fare is Right for You

You can choose from flexible options for loading money and/or passes on your ORCA card. Depending on how you plan to use transit while you’re in the Puget Sound Region simply adding money, buying a pass, or adding money and a pass may be right for you.

• Adding money only. If you plan to take a few trips or only one trip, this might be the most cost-effective option for you. You can add money (also called E-Purse) to your ORCA card to pay for individual trips. If you’re not sure how many times you’re going to ride transit, setting up an autoload gives you flexibility. When you get low on funds, the card is automatically reloaded, and we email you a receipt. You can watch this video to learn how to set up an autoload by creating an account on myORCA.com. All sales locations can load money on your ORCA card, so you can simply reload at a vending machine, retailer, or transit customer service location as needed. Search our interactive location map to find a location near you.
• Adding a day pass.This is the best option if you plan to use transit many times in one day. You can add a regional day pass to your ORCA card for $8. This gives you unlimited rides on all seven transit agencies for the day on any one-way trip that costs $3.50 or less, with some exclusions for paying for a car on Ferries and some special trips. Remember, retail locations can only load money to your card. You can use the money you purchase at a retail location to buy a pass online, at a vending machine, or via ORCA customer service.
• Adding a monthly pass.If you’re planning to use transit longer or more frequently, a monthly pass is the best choice for you. Since many transit agencies participate in the ORCA payments system, there are many passes with different prices to choose from. Remember passes are based on the calendar month and prices are not prorated, so we recommend purchasing your pass in advance for the next month to get the most out of it, for example purchasing the December pass when it becomes available on November 15. Remember, retail locations can only load money to your card. You can use the money you purchase at a retail location to buy a pass online, at a vending machine, or via customer service. Here are few examples of how monthly passes work:
  • Single agency pass: If you know you will just be using just one transit agency, for example, King County Metro buses, you can purchase the monthly King County Metro Pass for $99. Note that $99 is the same price as the “$2.75 Puget Pass” since King County Bus fares are $2.75 per trip. If you do the math, $99 divided by $2.75 per trip equals 36 trips to break even on this monthly pass. So, if you plan to ride the bus more than 36 times in a month, this pass can save you money.
  • All-agency pass (PugetPass): If you plan to frequently travel on more than one transit agency per month, for example, riding a Community Transit commuter bus from Everett to Northgate Station and then riding Sound Transit Link Light Rail to Downtown Seattle, our all-agency regional pass, called the PugetPass is the best choice for you. Since the one-way fare for a Community Transit commuter bus is $4.25, you would purchase the $4.25 PugetPass for $153. Doing the math, $153 divided by $4.25 is 36 trips, so if you plan to ride more than 36 times in a month this pass can save you money. This pass will also allow you to tap onto the Light Rail with a free transfer in the example above. The pass will also work on any other trip in the regional system with a fare of less than $4.25, for example a ride on a King County Metro bus, or a ride on an Everett Transit bus.