An ORCA card takes you farther

ORCA cards

On buses, trains, and ferries, you can use an ORCA card to pay fares and transfer seamlessly. ORCA works on the seven major public transportation agencies serving the region.  ORCA works like cash or a pass, automatically tracking the value of different fares and transfers so you don't have to. Riders may also qualify for a free or reduced fare when they pay with ORCA. 

You can also pay your fare with cash (you’ll need exact change —  no refunds or change are given). You will need to pay the full fare each time you board a new bus, train, or ferry when you pay with cash.

ORCA is also accepted on Community Transit's DART Paratransit service, Zip Shuttle on-demand rideshare, and Sound Transit's Link light rail service.

Close-up of a hand holding an ORCA card

Get a Limited-Time Promotional ORCA Day Pass Fare!

Ride more for less with special savings on Adult ORCA Day Passes.

Fares by service

You can pay with cash or ORCA cards. Reduced rates are available for youth riders, disabled riders, seniors and low-income community members who qualify.

Service

Adult

Aged 19 to 64

Youth

Aged 18 and younger

Reduced Fares

ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare

Bus

Includes local, express, and Swift bus rapid transit buses

$2.50 / ride

$90.00 Monthly Pass

FREE

$1.25 / ride

$45.00 Monthly Pass

DART Paratransit

For passengers with disabilities

$2.50 / ride

$90.00 Monthly Pass

FREE

$2.50 / ride

$90.00 Monthly Pass

Zip Shuttle Alderwood

On-demand shared ride service

$2.50 / ride

$90.00 Monthly Pass

FREE

$1.25 / ride

$45.00 Monthly Pass

Bus

Includes local, express, and Swift bus rapid transit buses

 

Rider Fare

Monthly Pass

Adult

Aged 19 to 64

$2.50

$90.00

Youth

Aged 18 and younger

FREE

FREE

Reduced Fares

ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare

$1.25

$45.00

DART Paratransit

For passengers with disabilities

 

Rider Fare

Monthly Pass

Adult

Aged 19 to 64

$2.50

$90.00

Youth

Aged 18 and younger

FREE

FREE

Reduced Fares

ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare

$2.50

$90.00

Zip Shuttle Alderwood

On-demand shared ride service

 

Rider Fare

Monthly Pass

Adult

Aged 19 to 64

$2.50

$90.00

Youth

Aged 18 and younger

FREE

FREE

Reduced Fares

ORCA LIFT, 65+, Disabled and Medicare

$1.25

$45.00

Vanpool
Shared commuting
Fares based on daily roundtrip miles and van size, split by the number of riders. Calculate your vanpool costs.

Vanpool

Shared commuting

Fares based on daily roundtrip miles and van size, split by the number of riders. Calculate your vanpool costs.

announcement Icon
Rider Info: More affordable reduced fares on March 1, 2025

Riders who qualify for reduced fare (ORCA LIFT, 65+, disabled, Medicare) will pay $1 for Zip and bus fares ($36 monthly pass) starting March 1.

Riders who qualify can also use the Subsidized Annual Pass on Community Transit starting March 1.

More information will be available before the fare change.

Transfers

You may need to take more than one bus to a destination. This is called a “transfer” because you will transfer from one bus to another. You’ll have to pay a fare on each bus, but the total amount depends on how you pay. Paper transfers are not issued or accepted by Community Transit.

Ways to pay

There are three ways to pay when transferring to another bus, ferry, train, or light rail.

ORCA card transfers

Using an ORCA card to pay can save you money for trips with multiple transfers. With ORCA, you can continue your trip on another bus or on light rail while getting credit for the fare you’ve already paid. ORCA transfers are valid for two hours after you first tap your card. If one part of your trip has a higher fare than you have previously paid, the ORCA reader will display the remainder owed and deduct it from your ORCA card.

Swift ticket transfer

Transfers using Swift tickets are valid on Swift buses for up to 2 hours after the purchase of the ticket.

Cash

If using cash to pay your fare, full fare payment is required each time you board a new bus. Please use exact change.

King County Metro Transit tickets and transfers are not accepted on Community Transit. If you use both transit agencies,  consider getting an ORCA card.

a Swift bus arriving at Lynnwood City Center Station with the CT Ride Store and Link light rail in the background

Ride new connections to light rail

Updated bus service brings you connections to light rail stations in Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Shoreline.

Paying for your transit service is easy!

ORCA card being scanned on bus
Local & express bus routes

Tap your ORCA card as you board the bus or pay with cash. Tip: if paying with cash, please have exact fare ready. Drivers do not make change.

If you have a ticket or other pass, show it to the driver as you board.

Commuter taps ORCA card on stop reader
Swift bus routes

Tap your ORCA card on a reader or buy a ticket from the kiosk at the station before you board. Keep your ticket with you as proof of payment.

Vanpool vans ready to go
Vanpool

You have the option to pay your monthly Vanpool fare online, through your employer, by mail, or using our onsite dropbox.  Payments are due no later than the 5th of the billing month.

Manage your Vanpool

Community Transit DART bus
Dial-a-Ride Paratransit (DART)

Qualified DART riders can pay with an ORCA card, cash (exact change required) or with pre-purchased DART tickets or monthly passes.

DART pass & ticket store

Zip service
Zip Shuttle Alderwood

Tap your ORCA card on the driver's hand-held reader as you board the Zip shuttle, or pay with cash. When paying with ORCA, each rider must have their own card and must tap their card when boarding. Tip: if paying with cash, please have exact fare ready. Drivers do not make change.

You can also pay ahead with a debit or credit card when booking a ride via the GOIN' app. The GOIN' Wallet on our app is not set up to accept ORCA at this time.

Learn more about Zip