There are so many benefits to using the Wave card
Here are our top three!
No Expiration Date
Smart cards are re-loadable and durable and never expire.
Balance Protection
By registering your Wave card, you can recover your balance if the card is lost or stolen and transfer the balance to a new card.
Wave to Pay
Boarding OC Bus will be faster. Just wave your card in front of the validator.
Pay Less…Automatically!
The new Wave fare payment system automatically tabulates your rides and stops charging you when you’ve met your daily or monthly limit. We call it Fare Capping. After you reach your cap, the rest of your rides are free. This pay-as-you-go system ensures you always get the best fare…and only pay for what you need.
This works for regular fares along with senior and disabled fares. Our Youth Ride Free (18 and under) program and the College Pass Program won’t change.
Where to Purchase Wave Cards
Physical Wave cards can be purchased for a small fee and will be widely available.
-
Retail Network
There will be over 500 potential retail locations where users can easily purchase a Wave card.
$4.00
-
OCTA Website
You will be able to order directly from the OCTA website and have a Wave card mailed to you.
$2.00
-
OCTA Store
You will be able to visit the OCTA Store in Orange and purchase cards in-person.
$2.00
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Wave cards cannot be added to mobile wallets. If you do not want to use a physical card, you can download the new Wave mobile app and create a virtual card that will be reloadable either digitally through your mobile phone. You can also add funds to your mobile virtual Wave card using cash or you can use cash or debit/credit cards at the retail network.
Log in to your online account and add funds to your Wave card with a debit or credit card. You can also add funds at any of the locations in the Wave retail network using debit or credit cards or cash.
If you have an account and registered your Wave card, your account balance is protected. Simply log into your account and transfer the funds from the lost card to a new card. This provides balance protection.
The Wave card is a reusable, reloadable card valid for 10 years.
More ways to pay
Wave Mobile
The Wave mobile app lets you manage your account on the go. There’s never a need to carry a card. All the tools you need are on your phone and at your fingertips, including adding funds, fair capping, and managing cards. It’s all in one place.
Contactless Cards
You probably already have a contactless card in your wallet. They are equipped with wireless technology that allows you to “tap to pay” at the validator. Using your phone’s digital wallet, you can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay.