How and Where to Use the ORCA Card
The Microsoft ORCA card provides unlimited rides on all buses, trains, and water taxis operated by participating transit agencies.
The ORCA card uses contact-free technology similar to a building access card, so you don‘t have to insert the card into anything.
- On a Bus
Simply tap your ORCA card on the ORCA card reader on the bus as you board. The reader will recognize your valid pass as fare payment. - On a Ferry*
Tap your ORCA card at the tollbooth, turnstile, or on the handheld reader prior to boarding the ferry. The reader will recognize your card as valid fare payment if Microsoft Commute has added a ferry pass on to your ORCA card or you have added personal funds to your ORCA card. - On a Train**
Tap your card on the platform card reader as your board, and again as you exit. The reader will recognize your pass as fare payment. Your ORCA card may be inspected on board the train. Failure to tap your ORCA card prior to boarding the train may result in receiving a ticket from the transit authority that includes a fine. - On a Vanpool***
Please see the Vanpool web pagefor the current method on how and when to use the ORCA card to cover the vanpool subsidy.
*A Microsoft issued ORCA card does not cover ferry passenger fares unless a ferry pass or e-purse funds are added to the ORCA card. Before adding personal funds to a Microsoft ORCA card, please review the Terms and Conditions on this page.
**Microsoft commuters should do the following to ride Amtrak Rail Plus from King Street Station to Everett, Mukilteo, or Edmonds
- Go to a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) on an Amtrak Sounder Platform
- Select Destination (two times, one general, then specific)
- Amtrak Rail Plus button appears in the button line-up - bottom right hand corner
- When selected it says “ Amtrak Rail Plus requires a monthly regional pass”
- Insert ORCA Pass or Passport card into Card Reader
- TVM generates a dated Amtrak Rail Plus ticket
The TVM reads your ORCA card and issues an Amtrak Rail Plus ticket with a date, destination and ORCA card number. On Amtrak Rail Plus, conductors may request inspection of both the ORCA card and the validation ticket.
***Please see instructions in the Vanpool Costs and Subsidy section of the Vanpool page.
ORCA and Washington State Ferry (WSF)
A Microsoft issued ORCA card does not cover ferry passenger fares unless a ferry pass or e-purse funds are added to the ORCA card.
Individuals who regularly commute via Washington State Ferry should complete this form and send it to Microsoft Commute via email once they have received an ORCA card. Microsoft Commute will add the requested WSF pass on to the ferry rider‘s ORCA card. Vanpool riders who also ride a ferry as part of their commute may have the difference between the $100 vanpool subsidy and their respective vanpool fares placed into an E-Voucher for the purpose of purchasing a WSF pass. If the combined vanpool fare and WSF pass exceeds $100, the employee will need to pay the difference out of pocket.
The prices listed in the table below reflect the actual retail price and not the cost to the FTE or CSG. Any amount above the $100 Microsoft subsidy for the cost of a ferry pass and vanpool fare will need to be paid for by the card holder.
| Pass | Purchase Price |
| WSF Mukilteo-Clinton Monthly Pass | $62.90 |
| WSF Vashon Island (Vashon-Fauntleroy) Monthly Pass | $68.00 |
| WSF Fauntleroy-Southworth Monthly Pass | $81.45 |
| WSF Central Sound Monthly Pass | $104.50 |
| WSF Port Townsend-Coupeville Monthly Pass | $84.80 |
The Vashon Island/Downtown Seattle and West Seattle/Downtown Seattle Water Taxis are operated by the King County Ferry District. Microsoft issued ORCA cards cover all fares on both of these routes; an additional pass specific to these routes is not needed.