OCTA previews 'WAVE' fare system launching October 2025 with smart cards and fare capping

The Orange County Transportation Authority on July 15 presented an overview of its Wave fare-payment system, scheduled to go live in October 2025, and described features intended to modernize fare collection across buses and linked services.

Sam Carr, OCTA's revenue-administration manager, told the council the 24-year-old fare system will be replaced by reusable Wave smart cards, an enhanced mobile app with virtual cards, expanded retail reload locations (400+ outlets), and acceptance of credit/debit and digital-wallet payments while still allowing cash transactions at retail locations.

Key rider benefits include fare capping — a daily cap of $5 and monthly cap of $69 that guarantees unlimited rides once a rider reaches the cap — and a free two-hour transfer window. Carr said fare capping lets riders “pay as you go” instead of prepaying $69 for a 30-day pass.

OCTA officials said seniors, people with disabilities and youth will receive their first physical Wave card free from OCTA; cards will be sold at $2 (OCTA store) or $4 (retail locations). Sam Carr said riders can register an account to protect balances and lock lost cards. Ryan Armstrong, OCTA's customer engagement manager, described rider outreach efforts including community meetings, toolkits for cities, and bus-ride engagement.

Council members asked about integration with Metrolink and how cash users can benefit; OCTA said they are testing validation of Metrolink paper and mobile tickets in pilot testing and that cash users can load value at retail locations but cannot earn fare-capping benefits without a registered Wave card or account.

No council action was required; OCTA will proceed with testing and community outreach ahead of the October launch.