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11 new outlets for the latest gridiron gear—ORCA

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Smart cards now at Sounder stations for Hawks fans and commuters

 

Sound Transit encourages football fans riding special Seahawks game day Sounder trains this Sunday to pick up a new ORCA card from Sounder ticket vending machines before they climb on board. ORCA cards are now available from ticket vending machines at Sounder commuter rail stations throughout Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties, making it easier for regular commuters and Seahawks game train riders to skip the hassle of paper tickets and avoid long ticket lines.

ORCA makes it easy for sports fans and regular commuters alike to climb aboard-not to mention get the best deal on transfers to and from other transit services throughout the region.

ORCA cards are accepted on Sounder commuter rail, Central Link light rail, and ST Express buses throughout the region, as well as aboard Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, and Washington State Ferries. Together, the seven ORCA agencies serve more than half of Washington's population and carry about 500,000 riders each weekday.

ORCA is a smart card-based electronic fare system that will replace about 300 various passes, tickets and transfers with a single card that works by simply tapping the ORCA card on a reader device.

Riders are encouraged to get their ORCA card soon before inter-system transfers are phased out and before a $5 fee for new ORCA cards is implemented.

While cash will continue to be accepted for all train and bus trips, the seven ORCA agencies plan to move from paper transfers to electronic transfers beginning Jan. 1, 2010. With ORCA, a valid transfer will automatically be available for subsequent rides on trains and buses throughout the four-county region within two hours.

A $5 card fee will be charged for new ORCA cards beginning Feb. 1, 2010.

Using ORCA on Sounder and Link

Train riders can bypass ticket lines with a loaded ORCA card. An ORCA card can be loaded with E-purse value, which is stored value that works similar to cash, with your correct fare deducted each time you ride. An ORCA card can also be loaded with a transit pass that can be used for unlimited trips during the period the pass is valid.

When using an ORCA card to ride a Link or Sounder train, tap your card at a card reader on a yellow pole before boarding the train. Present your valid ORCA card to the fare inspector upon request. When exiting, tap your card again at the card reader at the station to complete your transaction and ensure that the correct fare is deducted.

New ORCA Cards

You can get a new ORCA card from any Sounder or Link TVM in advance of your trip and load it with either a pass or E-purse value. Simply select the "ORCA Options" button on the starting screen to buy a new card. ORCA cards purchased from TVMs are fully functional and immediately ready for use.

You can also get a new ORCA card from any of the ten customer service offices or three retail outlets located throughout the four-county ORCA region. Visit www.orcacard.com for more information on these locations. ORCA cards purchased from customer service offices and retail outlets are fully functional and immediately ready for use.

You can also order a new ORCA card online at www.orcacard.com or by phone at 1-888-988-6722 or TTY Relay at 711:1-888-889-6368. ORCA cards ordered online or by phone are typically processed and delivered by postal mail in five to seven business days.

Reloading ORCA Cards

Riders who need to add a new pass or more E-purse value to their ORCA card have several options for reloading their cards in advance of their trip.

You can reload an ORCA card at any Sounder or Link TVM with either a pass or more E-purse value. Simply insert your card in the ORCA card holder and select the product you would like to load onto your existing card. Card reload transactions done on a TVM are immediately processed and ready for use.

You can also reload an ORCA card at from any of the ten customer service offices or three retail outlets located throughout the four-county ORCA region. Visit www.orcacard.com for more information on these locations. Card reload transactions done at a customer service office or retail outlet are immediately processed and ready for use.

You can also reload an ORCA card online at http://www.orcacard.com or by phone at 1-888-988-6722 or TTY Relay at 711:1-888-889-6368. ORCA transactions made online or by phone are typically processed in about 24 hours, and users must tap the card on a card reader to complete the transaction processing and upload the new information to the card's computer chip.

ORCA Ticket Vending Machines-Sounder commuter rail

Everett Station
3201 Smith Ave.
Everett, WA 98201

 

Mukilteo Station
920 First St.
Mukilteo, WA 98275

 

Edmonds Station
211 Railroad Ave.
Edmonds, WA 98020

 

King Street Station
301 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104

 

Tukwila Sounder Station
7301 S. 158th St.
Tukwila, WA 98188

 

Kent Station
301 Railroad Ave. N.
Kent, WA 98032

 

Auburn Station
23 A St. S.W.
Auburn, WA 98001

 

Sumner Station
810 Maple St.
Sumner, WA 98390

 

Puyallup Station
424 E. 25th St.
Puyallup, WA 98371

 

Tacoma Dome Station
424 E. 25th St.
Tacoma, WA 98421

 

Lakewood Station
11424 Pacific Hwy SW
Lakewood, WA 98499

 

For more information on the 12 Link TVM locations and 10 ORCA outlet locations, as well as other ORCA card information, visit http://www.orcacard.com

 

ST CONTACT: Linda Robson-(206) 398-5149 or linda.robson@soundtransit.org