The Wave fare payment system is coming in Summer 2025!
Riding using the Wave card will be easy, convenient, and save you money. But we know you’ll have questions. Discover how our upcoming fare payment system will work.
The Wave fare payment system is coming in Summer 2025!
Riding using the Wave card will be easy, convenient, and save you money. But we know you’ll have questions. Discover how our upcoming fare payment system will work.
With Wave, you’ll be connected to the latest in pay-as-you-go technology that will allow you to load value onto a Wave card or Wave mobile account, or use a contactless card, to pay when you board. You won’t have to worry about cash or passes, and your payment method will automatically tabulate when you’ve reached your daily or monthly cap.
Literally wave your Wave card in front of the validator, wait for the green light, and you’ll be ready to ride.
Hold your smartphone underneath the validator using the Wave Mobile App displaying your QR code and wait for the green light!
Use a contactless card that is equipped with wireless technology that allows you to “tap to pay” at the validator.
You’ll always be able to pay for a single ride with cash when you board. Just be sure to have exact change.
The future of travel on OC transit will revolve around our new Wave fare payment card. The Wave card will offer worry-free payments when you travel on OC Bus or OC Streetcar, no matter how many rides you take. There are so many benefits to using the Wave card. Here are our top three!
Smart cards are re-loadable and durable and never expire.
By registering your Wave card, you can recover your balance if lost or stolen and transfer it to a new card.
Boarding OC Bus will be faster. Just wave your card in front of the validator.
You’ll never overpay when using Wave!
Saving money is a wonderful thing. And that’s the beauty of the new Wave fare payment system. It is an account-based system designed to automatically tabulate your rides and stop charging you when you’ve hit your daily or monthly amount. You’ll never overpay!
You’ll never overpay when using Wave!
Saving money is a wonderful thing. And that’s the beauty of the new Wave fare payment system. It is an account-based system designed to automatically tabulate your rides and stop charging you when you’ve hit your daily or monthly amount. You’ll never overpay!
The new Wave fare payment system guarantees you the best fare, meaning you pay as you go without needing to prepay for discounts. Once you reach a daily cap ($4.50 for regular riders), or a monthly cap ($69) the rest of your rides are free. All existing fare structures remain unchanged, including Regular fares, Senior and Disabled fares, Youth Ride Free (18 and under), and the College Pass Program.
Everything you need to ride and manage your Wave card will be in the palm of your hand. The new Mobile App will allow you to manage your card, add funds, oversee multiple cards, and even add funds with cash. Here’s what you’ll be able to accomplish.
Create a virtual card and eliminate the need to carry a physical card. All you’ll need is your smartphone!
Manage up to 8 Wave cards including friends and family members.
Add funds to your Wave card when on the run. Your reloads will be there instantly.
You will always have the option to reload your virtual Wave card with cash at participating retailers.
There are many retail locations where you can purchase a Wave card, reload your account (with cash or credit), and have the funds available immediately.
Physical Wave cards can be purchased for a small fee and will be widely available.
There will be over 400 potential retail locations where users can easily purchase a Wave card.
You will be able to order directly from the OCTA website and have a Wave card mailed to you.
You will be able to visit the OCTA Store in Orange and purchase cards in-person.
When you want to know the status of your Wave card, you’ll be able to log into your online account and manage everything from adding funds and managing cards to checking on your daily or monthly fare capping.
You’ll be able to manage your account, including all your cards, in real-time.
You can have up to 8 Wave or contactless cards connected to your account. And you can manage all of them here!
You can also set limits for automatic fund reloading through your online account.
