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WAVE

Meet Wave

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An Easier Way to Pay is Here

Get Wave and ride FREE from October 15 to 31!
Riding using the Wave card is easy, convenient, and saves you money. Enjoy free rides with the Wave card from October 15 to 31. Plus, register for a chance to win $100*! Discover how Wave works.

An Easier Way to Pay is Here

Get Wave and ride FREE from October 15 to 31!
Riding using the Wave card is easy, convenient, and saves you money. Enjoy free rides with the Wave card from October 15 to 31. Plus, register for a chance to win $100*! Discover how Wave works.

Goodbye Paper Passes, Hello Smart Technology

The new Wave fare payment system will use pay-as-you-go technology that lets you pay for rides based on what you use versus the fixed amount on a paper pass. You’ll be able to use Wave on OC Bus and OC Streetcar. The new system will include a contactless reloadable smart card, new robust mobile app and a new account-based system.

wave card

Wave Card

  • Reusable plastic card
  • Reloadable
  • Available at OCTA Store and 500+ retail locations
mobile app

Wave Mobile App

  • Real-time reloads and account management
  • Reload with cash at retailers
  • Manage other physical smart cards
Account-Based System

Account-Based System

  • Cloud based to allow access from the web, smartphone, and the new mobile app
  • Balance protection if card is lost or stolen
  • Best price guarantee
mobile app

⚠️ Reminder

Paper passes are longer sold onboard. Cash is still accepted for single rides with exact change only.

Boarding Is Easy

With Wave, you’ll be connected to the latest in pay-as-you-go technology that allows you to load funds onto a physical Wave card, the Wave mobile app, or use a contactless card, to pay when you board. Your payment method will stop being charged when you’ve reached your daily or monthly cap. Don't worry, you can still use cash to pay for single rides onboard. Getting Started.

wave card

Wave Card

Literally wave your Wave card in front of the validator, wait for the green light, and you’ll be ready to ride.

wave mobile app

Wave Mobile App

Hold your smartphone underneath the validator using the Wave Mobile App displaying your QR code and wait for the green light!

contactless card

Contactless Card

Use a contactless card (such as a debit or credit card) that is equipped with wireless technology that allows you to “tap to pay” at the validator. Using your phone’s digital wallet, you can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Meet the New Wave Card

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!

No Expiration Date

Smart cards are re-loadable and durable and never expire.

Balance Protection

By registering your Wave card, you can recover your balance if the card is lost or stolen and transfer the balance to a new card.

Wave to Pay

Boarding OC Bus will be faster. Just wave your card in front of the validator.

A Powerful New Mobile App

Everything you need to ride and manage your Wave card will be in the palm of your hand. The new Wave 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.

Carry a Virtual Wave Card for Free

Create a virtual card and eliminate the need to carry a physical card. All you’ll need is your smartphone!

Manage Multiple Cards

Manage up to 8 Wave cards including those of family and friends.

Reload in Real-time

Add funds to your Wave card on the run. Your reloads will be there instantly.

Add Cash to Wave

You have the option to reload your virtual Wave card with cash at participating retailers.

best fare guarantee

Pay Less…Automatically!

The new Wave fare payment system automatically tabulates your rides and stops charging you when you’ve met your daily or monthly limit. We call it Fare Capping. After you reach your cap, the rest of your rides are free for that day or calendar month. This pay-as-you-ride system ensures you always get the best fare…and only pay for what you need. The fare cap resets each day and the start of each month.

This works for regular fares along with senior and disabled fares. Our Youth Ride Free (18 and under) program and the College Pass Program won’t change.

Best fare guarantee

More About Wave

Getting Started

Our Wave fare payment system will offer options to meet all rider’s needs.

Learn More

Best Fare Guarantee

Pay as you go without needing to prepay for discounts.

About fares

Where to Buy

Learn about the online and retail locations where Wave will be available.

Where to buy

*No purchase necessary to win. See sweepstakes rules at OCBus.com/WaveRules

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