[nfbwatlk] FW: ORCA Makes Big Splash

Tue Sep 15 22:20:30 UTC 2009

ORCA
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ts&subcat=1&record=1340> Makes Big Splash
Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Regional smart card for fare payments kicks into high gear

SEATTLE - This week, ORCA - One Regional Card for All - will be expanding to
more bus, train and ferry riders around the region. The limited rollout
period for ORCA is now complete, and the seven partner agencies are
launching major promotional efforts and moving forward with steps to phase
out other transit passes.

ORCA is a smart card-based electronic fare system for public transportation
agencies serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. ORCA will
replace about 300 various passes, tickets and transfers with a single card
that works by simply tapping the ORCA card on a reader device.

ORCA was launched last April in a "limited rollout" phase to ensure the
system could handle its complex transactions before greatly expanding its
customer base. Over the past four months more riders have been added to the
system so that there are currently more than 100,000 ORCA cards in
circulation being used on about 8 percent of all daily transit rides in the
region.

"Today is not just the big splash for ORCA. It's also the public unveiling
of what 10 years of unmatched regional cooperation can create to benefit
residents and transit users in a more efficient manner," said King County
Executive Kirk Triplett, joined by board members and general managers of the
seven participating agencies. The seven ORCA partners are Community
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Transit, Everett
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King
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UBnbWFpbC5jb20mZXh0cmE9JiYm&&&103&&&http://transit.metrokc.gov> County Metro
Transit, Kitsap
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Pierce
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Sound
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Washington
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UBnbWFpbC5jb20mZXh0cmE9JiYm&&&107&&&http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/> State
Ferries. Together, the agencies serve more than half of Washington's
population and carry about 500,000 riders each weekday.

"ORCA provides easy access for riders, whether you are using a bus, train or
ferry. With an ORCA card you can ride all these vehicles without having to
worry about different fares or having the right change," said Claudia
Thomas, Lakewood City Councilmember, Vice Chair of the Sound Transit Board
of Directors and Pierce Transit Commissioner.

ORCA rollout will continue for the remainder of the year as a print and
radio advertising campaign encourages frequent and infrequent transit riders
to get an ORCA card. Already, the seven agencies have used signage on their
vehicles to get riders to convert to ORCA. Agency staff have also ridden
buses, trains and ferries to talk to riders about ORCA and how to use the
cards.

How ORCA works
ORCA is a durable, plastic smart card that contains a microprocessor. Riders
simply "tap" their ORCA card on a card reader on board buses or at train,
light rail and ferry stations, and enjoy their ride.

ORCA cards come equipped with an "E-purse" function that allows a rider to
preload fare value onto the card. With each trip - whether on one vehicle or
several - the correct fare, including any transfer value, is automatically
deducted from the value on the card. Riders can also take unlimited trips by
purchasing a monthly pass on their ORCA card.

With ORCA, customers will have more options for paying their transit fare.
Riders can buy and revalue ORCA cards online
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mail or in person at transit agency customer service offices, ticket vending
machines and select retail businesses around the region. ORCA cards that are
revalued in person are available for use immediately. Cards that are
revalued online, by phone or by mail will not have funds available for about
24-48 hours.

ORCA cardholders can check their accounts online, by phone or at ticket
vending machines. Customers have the option to register their cards, which
allows them to restore their card value if it is lost or stolen. Registered
cardholders also can select an "Autoload" feature that adds value to a card
automatically when their E-purse is empty or when their monthly pass
expires.

Cash will continue to be accepted on all of the transit systems. However,
the transit agencies plan to move from paper transfers to electronic
transfers beginning Jan. 1, 2010. King County Metro and Pierce Transit will
still have paper transfers that are good within their own systems. With
ORCA, a valid transfer will automatically be available for subsequent rides
on trains and buses within two hours.

When to get ORCA
Riders who purchase their own monthly transit pass online or by mail likely
have already been converted to an ORCA card. Starting this month, riders who
purchase passes in person will receive an ORCA card for their October
transit pass. Riders who get their transit passes from their employers are
being converted to ORCA as their employers' annual contracts come up for
renewal.

Riders who buy ticketbooks or tokens for individual transit rides will be
converted to ORCA cards beginning in October. Along with the regional
advertising campaign, agencies will continue to talk to riders this fall to
encourage cash-paying customers to get an ORCA card. Vanpool and paratransit
customers must check with their agency about use of ORCA for their rides.

At this time, riders can get an ORCA card at no charge but must load fare
value on it for the card to work. After Feb. 1, 2010, it will cost $5 to
purchase an ORCA card ($3 for Regional Reduced Fare Permit customers) in
addition to the value the rider loads. Under normal wear, ORCA cards are
expected to last three to five years before they need to be replaced.

For information about ORCA:
www.orcacard.com
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UBnbWFpbC5jb20mZXh0cmE9JiYm&&&109&&&http://www.orcacard.com/>  or
1-888-988-6722 (ORCA)/ TTY Relay: 711/ 888-889-6368

  _____  

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Contact Us 
(425) 353-RIDE (7433) 
(800) 562-1375 
TTY Relay: Dial 711 
riders at commtrans.org 

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