Trial ORCA pass navigates multiple transit systems for a day

A new regional transit pass will allow riders to travel by bus, train, streetcar or water taxi all day for one price. The Visitor Day Pass is being piloted by Puget Sound transit agencies and will be available for the next six months. One or more days' worth of passes can be loaded onto a reusable ORCA smart card. 

The regional day pass will cost $9 and will provide unlimited trips when the fare is $4 or less. It will be marketed to hotels and other businesses that focus on tourists and out-of-town visitors. Local residents can also purchase the day pass anywhere ORCA cards are sold. People who do not have an ORCA card can buy a card for a one-time $5 fee. 

"With the launch of this pilot day pass, we're joining many other world-class transit regions that are meeting the needs of both regular riders and visitors," said ORCA Joint Board Vice Chair and King County Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. "We hope this new transit product will benefit the thousands of tourists who flock to our region each year looking for affordable and convenient ways to see the sights." 

The Visitor Day Pass is a virtual pass that only resides on an ORCA card. The day pass starts with first use and expires at 3 a.m. For trips with fares over $4, day pass users can pay cash or add value to the ORCA card's E-purse feature to make up the difference. The day pass cannot be used on Washington State Ferries. 

Six-Month Pilot

The Visitor Day Pass is the first new regional pass product since ORCA was launched in 2010. The day pass will be available as a six-month pilot through September 30, 2014. At that time, usage data will be evaluated to determine if the day pass will continue. 

Learn more or purchase ORCA cards and products here. Cards and transit value can also be purchased at transit agency customer service centers, through ticket vending machines at Sounder train and Link light rail stations and at several transit centers in King County. ORCA is also available at retailers throughout King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, including most QFC and Safeway stores, Saar's Market Place, downtown Seattle Bartell's, Kingston IGA, Vashon Thriftway and Roger's Market in Mountlake Terrace.

The ORCA partnership includes Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro Transit, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit, as well as Washington State Ferries.