Starting Feb. 23, Fremonsters can skip the ORCA card and pay for transit by tapping a credit or debit card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly on the fare reader.
The new Tap to Pay feature launches regionwide across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other Puget Sound transit agencies, accepting most contactless-enabled Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express cards.
The timing is no accident. With Seattle hosting World Cup matches this summer, the feature is designed to make transit accessible for international visitors, according to this Geekwire article.
Good to know before you tap:
- The standard two-hour transfer window still applies, so hopping from the 44 to the E Line won’t cost extra.
- Each rider needs their own payment method; you can’t cover a companion with a single tap.
- Google Wallet users with both an ORCA card and a credit or debit card stored should note the reader defaults to the ORCA card. Select your credit or debit card manually before tapping if you want to use it instead.
- Apple Pay users with Express Mode enabled can tap without unlocking their phone, a small mercy on a cold February morning waiting for the delayed 40.
- Tap to Pay charges the adult fare only. Riders on reduced-fare programs, passes, or employer-sponsored cards should stick with their ORCA cards.
- Fare inspectors won’t scan your card but may ask for the last four digits to confirm payment.
More information is available at info.myORCA.com/contactless.
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