Wave users automatically get the best fare and enjoy free rides during launch promotion, additional payment options offer flexibility and convenience for all OC Bus passengers
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is set to launch the new Wave fare payment system on Wednesday, Oct. 15, bringing riders a more convenient and more flexible way to pay for OC Bus trips.
The new Wave system replaces traditional paper passes with smart, reloadable physical cards and payment options through the Wave mobile app and enables debit and credit cards.
Riders will be able to simply tap their physical Wave card or virtual card via a mobile device when boarding to pay their fare – streamlining the experience for all bus passengers and making boarding more efficient.
“Wave represents an important step in modernizing our OC Bus system,” said OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee, also Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Fourth District Supervisor. “Our goal is to make public transit as accessible and convenient as possible.”
The Wave system introduces several rider-friendly features designed to make public transit more convenient and provide a more efficient boarding process:
- Automatic reloads and online management allow users to add value or set auto-reload options through an online account.
- Balance protection means registered riders can easily replace lost or stolen cards without losing funds.
- Best-fare guarantee through capping, which ensures riders always get the best price. Riders pay per trip but never more than the cost of a one-day or 30-day pass.
- Multiple cards per account – riders can manage up to eight cards, perfect for families or groups.
- Expanded retail network across Orange County makes it easy to purchase and reload Wave cards using cash or credit.
- Contactless payments including debit or credit cards, or mobile wallets, are also accepted for added convenience.
Riders who prefer to pay cash may continue to do so onboard buses using exact change only – drivers and fareboxes cannot make change.
Existing youth and community college pass programs, as well as reduced fares for seniors, will remain in place with no changes. Youth 18 years and younger always ride at no cost with a Youth Ride Free pass.
As part of this project, OCTA is also expanding the number of retail locations where riders can purchase and reload their smart cards using cash or credit at locations throughout Orange County, making the system more accessible for riders without bank accounts.
More than 500 retail outlets will sell Wave cards – more than five times the previous number of locations. Wave cards are available for a one-time fee of $4 at retail locations, or $2 via the OCTA website at octa.net/wave or by visiting the OCTA headquarters, 600 S. Main Street in Orange. Retail locations include supermarkets such as Albertsons, Vons and Northgate, and convenience stores such as Walgreens, CVS and 7-Eleven.
Beginning with the Oct. 15 launch, paper day passes will no longer be sold onboard buses. Riders are encouraged to obtain a Wave card or download the Wave app in advance of the launch.
To help with the transition, OCTA Transit Ambassadors are in the community, at major transit centers and bus stops countywide, informing riders in the community to ensure all riders can easily make the switch. Ambassadors are demonstrating how to obtain the Wave card, to register accounts online and how to load value.
To celebrate the debut of Wave, OCTA is offering:
- Free rides from Oct. 15–31 for riders using a Wave card or app.
- Automatic entry into a prize drawing to win $100 for those who register their Wave card during the launch period.
The Wave system is part of OCTA’s broader effort to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and customer service across its transit network. By simplifying how passengers pay and eliminating the need for paper passes, OCTA is reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and aligning with modern payment technologies used in major transit systems across the country.
“With Wave, we’re giving riders more control, better value, and a smoother experience,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “It’s another example of OCTA’s commitment to innovation and the highest level of customer service that keeps Orange County moving.”
For more information about Wave, including instructional videos, frequently asked questions and retail reload locations, visit octa.net/wave.
Photo: OCTA Board Members and staff get a first look at the Wave card and a bus wrapped with the Wave logo to promote the new program after a Board of Directors meeting on Monday, Oct. 13. Photo courtesy of OCTA.
