SEATTLE — Sound Transit announced Monday ORCA cards will now be available to save and access in the Google Wallet on Android and Wear OS devices.
The announcement comes more than two years after Sound Transit introduced an overhauled system, website, and smartphone apps that allowed riders an easier way to add value to their cards.
While passengers with devices from makers like Samsung and Google will enjoy the new access, Apple customers will have to wait a bit longer. Sound Transit has not yet announced when iOS users will be able to use their ORCA cards with the Apple Wallet.
“New Adult digital cards added to the wallet will cost the same as purchasing a plastic ORCA card: $3,” Sound Transit said in a news release.
Customers will also have the option to convert a physical card into a digital card with no extra card, according to Sound Transit. If a card is turned into a digital version, however, the physical card will no longer work. If customers change their minds, they can revert for a $3 fee to issue a new plastic card.
“We’re excited for this feature to offer another convenient payment option for transit customers using Google devices,” said Brittany Esdaile, director of the ORCA program. “Adding a new ORCA card to the Google Wallet app is simple.”
Esdaile said the steps are as follows:
- Open Google Wallet
- Select Add to Wallet
- Choose Transit pass
- Search for “ORCA”
- Tap ORCA, and you’re on your way
Riders who use an ORCA Card through their employer, school, or another organization may not be able to convert their plastic cards into a digital version. Sound Transit said organizations will need to opt-in to the program over time.
Phones must be running Android Lollipop (Android 5.0) or higher and must have an NFC chip, according to Sound Transit.
Each Google Wallet account can only have one ORCA card, according to Sound Transit.
Sound Transit recommends registering a new ORCA card to an account on the myORCA app.