Skip to main content

OC Bus

College Pass

College Pass and Fare ID

We can’t do much about tuition and books, but we can give you a discounted OC Bus pass. The College Pass gets you unlimited bus rides to campus, work, shopping, the beach, and more on OC Bus, your safe, clean, convenient ride to all of OC and beyond. Only 9 credits and 46 bucks, and it’s yours. That’s right. You only need to be enrolled in 9 credits during the semester or quarter to qualify for the FREE OC Bus College Fare ID! Once you have your ID, it’s simple to purchase your college pass.

Better yet, use OC Bus App, the quick and easy way to pay for and use your College Pass. Whichever way you ride – Mobile or Paper Pass – the College Pass is the smart way to get to college. The first step is to get your college fare id, so choose your method below and begin riding to school in style with OC Bus.

OC Bus App  OC Bus App


Everything you’ll need to plan, pay, and ride OC Bus can be found with our comprehensive mobile ticketing app. Simply download the app and begin using your smartphone to ride.


Download on the app store    Get it on google play


About the App

A College Fare ID is Required

The College Fare ID is FREE and is good for the entire semester. An OCTA College Fare ID is required to purchase and use a College Pass. With paper passes, you will need your ID to purchase your pass, and to show the coach operator each time you board the bus with a College Pass and valid OCTA College Fare ID Card. Once you have this number, you will have access to purchase your college pass. Using the OC Bus App means you will not need to show your card to the operator. See the steps below to get your College ID Card.


Applying for a College Fare ID

The OC Bus App is the quick and easy way to pay for and use your College Pass. The College Pass gets you unlimited rides to campus, work, shopping, the beach, and more on OC Bus, your safe, clean, convenient ride to all of OC and beyond. The OCTA College Fare ID is FREE and is good for the entire semester.

Need a College Fare ID?
Getting a College Fare ID is simple, as long as you are enrolled in 9 or more credit hours/units a semester or quarter at participating colleges. Follow these instructions to get your College Fare ID:

  1. Have your eligibility document ready to upload. See fast facts below for more info.

  2. Apply using the form, selecting Mobile Number only at the top of the form.

  3. You will receive an email within 2 business days with your mobile College Fare ID number. Keep this email for reference.

  4. Wait 15 minutes for account verification.

  5. In the OC Bus App, tap the Store icon in the menu; Select College under Rider Type.

  6. You will now be able to purchase an OC Bus College Pass.

College Fare ID Fast Facts

  • College Fare ID is good for the entire semester/quarter. All College Fare ID numbers will expire on December 31 and June 30 of each year regardless of when the ID was issued.

  • Eligibility Requirements for College Fare ID require the student be enrolled in 9 or more credit hours/units at the time of application at a public or private community college, college or university, and trade and/or technical school and provides one of the following documents during the application process.

    Note: The document must clearly show the student name, school name, the start and end dates for classes as well as the total number of units/hours you are enrolled in.

    • Current registration fee/receipt

    • A computer printout showing enrollment and/or in-classroom hours

    • Current registration form or enrollment certificate

So Easy, a Freshman Can Do It

When you get on the bus, simply show your activated mobile ticket to the coach operator or swipe your College Pass in the farebox. That’s it. You can ride anytime, any day, anywhere OC Bus goes. No Ph.D. required. To plan your next trip, visit our trip planner that will tell you exactly what bus to take and where to catch it.

The sky’s the limit, well, almost. Even something as good as the College Pass has restrictions. You cannot use the College Pass on express routes, other transit agency buses or after your college days are over. You must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units a quarter or semester.

Back to Top