Paying Is Easy
With Wave, you’ll be able to load value onto a physical Wave card, the Wave mobile app, or use a contactless card. Your payment method will automatically be tabulated when you’ve reached your daily or monthly cap. Don't worry, you can still use cash to pay for single rides when you board the bus.
-
![Octa Wave Wave Card With Icon 2X]()
Literally wave your Wave card in front of the validator, wait for the green light, and you’ll be ready to ride.
-
![Octa Wave Mobile App With Icon 2X]()
Hold your smartphone underneath the validator using the Wave Mobile App displaying your QR code and wait for the green light!
-
![Octa Wave Contactless Card With Icon 2X]()
Use a contactless card (debit or credit card) equipped with wireless technology that allows you to “tap to pay” at the validator.
Pay Cash Onboard
You’ll always be able to pay for a single ride with cash when you board. Just be sure to have exact change.
Single rides include a free two-hour transfer.
Manage Your Account Online
When you want to know the status of your Wave card, you can log into your online account and manage everything from adding funds and managing cards to checking on your daily or monthly fare capping.
- Balance Protection
By registering, you can recover your balance if your card is lost or stolen and transfer the balance to a new card. - Real-time Account Management
You’ll be able to manage your account, including all your cards, in real-time. - Manage Multiple Cards
You can have up to 8 Wave or contactless cards connected to your account. And you can manage all of them here!
Best Fare Guarantee
You’ll never overpay when using Wave!
Saving money is key. And that’s the beauty of the new Wave fare payment system. It is an account-based system designed to automatically tabulate your rides and stops charging you when you’ve hit your daily or monthly amount. You’ll never overpay!
How Will Fare Capping Save You Money?
This interactive chart shows how your rides will be automatically tracked so you stop getting charged when using the Wave card or Wave mobile. Monthly capping resets on the first day of each month. Go ahead and give it a click!
Regular Fare Type - Daily Fare Capping
In the example to the right, after Ride 3, the daily fare cap of $4.50 has been reached. Ride 4 and all remaining rides of the day are free! By comparison, without a day pass today, the first four rides would cost $8.00.
Regular Fare Type - Monthly Fare Capping
Everyone rides differently. In the example below, the rider reached the Best Fare Guarantee by the 18th day of the month. On days 1 through 17 they reached the daily fare cap of $4.50. On day 18 they only needed to pay $1.50 on their first ride and they reached the monthly cap of $69.00. All remaining rides for the balance of the month are free! By comparison with today, without a monthly pass a rider could spend up to $135 a month.
Senior/Disabled Fare Type - Daily Fare Capping
In the example below, after Ride 2, the daily fare cap of $1.35 has been reached. Ride 3 and all remaining rides of the day are free! By comparison, without a day pass today, the first three rides would cost $2.25.
Senior/Disabled Fare Type - Monthly Fare Capping
Everyone rides differently. In the example below, the rider reached the Best Fare Guarantee by the 18th day of the month. On days 1 through 17 they reached the daily fare cap of $1.35. On day 18 they only needed to pay .65¢ on their first ride and they reached the monthly cap of $22.25. All remaining rides for the balance of the month are free! By comparison with today, without a monthly pass a rider could spend up to $40.50 a month.
Saving for all riders
No matter where you’re going, affordable bus fares make getting there simple and stress-free.
Senior & Disabled Fares
Take advantage of reduced fares.
Seniors 60 years and older and persons with disabilities can ride OCTA's transit services using a reduced fare. Proper identification is required when purchasing and using a reduced fare.
College Student Fares
Students enrolled in 9 or more units a semester can enjoy reduced monthly fares. Students enrolled at any of the 9 Community Colleges in Orange County receive free fares.
Youth Ride Free
Youth 18 and under enjoy free travel on safe, clean and reliable OCTA transit services with the Youth Ride Free pass.
Ready to get started with Wave?
Download the Wave mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
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 into 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.