About Wave

No, fares stay the same for everyone (regular, senior, disabled, youth and college).

Yes, you can still use cash for single rides. You must have exact fare.

No, day passes won’t be sold on the bus anymore.

You can pay with:
•    Cash (for single rides only)
•    A Wave card (physical or in the app)
•    A contactless credit/debit card

No, the new system tracks your usage and gives you free rides after you’ve paid enough for a day or monthly pass.

Yes, you get free transfers for 2 hours after each paying tap.

You can log into your online account and add funds to your Wave card with a debit or credit card. You can also use the Wave mobile app to load funds on your physical or virtual Wave card.

There will be an initial fee of $2 when you purchase the card at the OCTA store or order it online directly from OCTA. It will cost $4 when you purchase your initial Wave card at a participating retail location.  The virtual card in the new app will be free.

No, the only locations to load money on the Wave card will be at the OCTA store, the new OC Streetcar platform ticket vending machines and at participating retail locations.

Yes. At a retailer, the minimum is between $2.00 and $5.00 depending on the retailer. If adding money using your online account, the minimum is $2.00. The maximum you can add at one time is $250 and the maximum allowed on either a physical or virtual card at any one time is $250.

No, each rider must have their own Wave card.

Tap your card on the validator. A green or yellow screen with a checkmark means it worked.

LA Metro uses TAP, a card-based solution – information and fund balances are based on the card. Our new Wave system is account-based and offers greater flexibility because all your information and fund balances are stored in an online account, not on the card, providing balance protection if lost or stolen.

Not right now, but we’re working on it.

All riders who wish to use reduced fares must create an account in the new Wave fare system. If you are already approved for reduced fares, your rider type will transfer automatically. OCTA will contact current reduced fare customers with instructions for the self-guided transfer process once the new system launches. New riders seeking reduced fare status will need to apply online through a registration process similar to the current one.

No, there is no cost for applying for reduced fares. To receive reduced fares, you must go through the application process and be approved. 

All reduced fares have an expiration date, which is displayed in your Wave customer account next to your rider type.
•    Senior Fares: Expire 10 years from the approval date listed on your application.
•    Disabled Fares: Expiration depends on the type of disability approved during the application process.
•    College Fares: Valid for the qualifying semester—fall fares expire December 31, and spring fares expire June 30.
•    Youth Fares: Expire at the end of the month in which the rider turns 19.

No, the reduced fare is valid for your use only. You must show proper verification on board, if asked.

Yes, if you currently have a Wave card used for regular fares, you can enter that card number during the application process. Once approved, the card will be linked to your account and updated with your eligible reduced fare rider type.

Please note: If you’ve already started accumulating fares toward a regular monthly cap and your card is later converted to a reduced fare card within that same month, the fares paid prior to the change will not count toward the reduced fare cap. Your reduced fare monthly cap will begin once your card is officially designated with your qualifying reduced fare rider type.