OC Bus App
Fares & Passes
The new Wave fare payment system is here!
Wave uses pay-as-you-go technology that lets you pay for rides based on what you use. It includes a contactless reloadable smart card, new robust mobile app and a new account-based system. Get started with Wave
What happens to paper passes purchased before Oct.15, 2025? Find out more in the Wave transition plan
Fare Costs
The Wave system offers a best fare guarantee. It automatically tabulates your rides and stops charging you when you’ve met your daily or monthly limit. How it works
Regular Fare
Single Fare (One Way)
$2.00
Ride FREE after spending:
$4.50
in a day
$69.00
in a calendar month
Regular fare includes a free 2-hour transfer. Up to three young children (age 5 and under) may ride free with each fare-paying customer.
Ways to Pay
Senior and Disabled Fares
Single Fare (One Way)
$0.75 Requires reduced fare status
Ride FREE after spending:
$1.35
in a day
$22.25
in a calendar month
Customers 60 years and older and persons with disabilities are offered reduced fares. If asked, you must show proper identification when boarding. About reduced fare status.
Youth Ride Free Program
Single Fare (One Way)
$0.00 Requires reduced fare status
Requires reduced fare statusOC Bus offers many options for younger riders beginning with free rides for those 5 and under with a paying adult. Customers ages 18 and under can also enjoy savings. About Youth Ride Free.
College Student
Single Fare (One Way)
$2.00 Requires reduced fare status
Ride FREE after spending:
$4.50
in a day
$46.00
in a calendar month
Students enrolled in nine or more units a semester at any of the nine Community Colleges in Orange County receive free fares. About College Fares.
OC ACCESS
Single Fare (One Way)
$0.25 Requires reduced fare status
Ride FREE after spending:
$1.35
in a day
$22.25
in a calendar month
OC ACCESS is a shared-ride service that is available to qualified applicants whose physical or cognitive limitations prevent them from utilizing the regular OC Bus fixed-route service. About OC ACCESS.
Ways to Pay
Wave Card
Get a reusable, reloadable transit card at the OCTA Store or 400+ retail locations, load value as needed, and tap to board for a fast, cash-free ride.
Wave Mobile App
Use our mobile app to reload instantly, manage your account in real time, add cash at retail locations, and even manage your physical smart cards.
Contactless Card
Board easily by tapping a contactless debit or credit card, or use your phone’s digital wallet with Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay at the validator.
Cash on Board
Paying cash on the bus is only available for Single Fare - One Way trips. The $2.00 is the cost per boarding, no transfers issued. Exact fare required. OC Bus fare boxes accept all coins (except pennies) and bills $10 and under.
Specialty Passes
Community College Pass
This program is a partnership between OCTA and local participating colleges that provides all registered students with an OC Bus pass for the semester.
University Pass
OC Bus has partnered with California State University, Fullerton, UC Irvine and Chapman University to provide a low-cost University pass for students and faculty.
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A wide range of payment and pass options
No matter what trip you plan to take, there are bus fares and passes that will make travel convenient and affordable. Choose from paper passes or enjoy the ease of the OC Bus mobile app.
OC Bus offers a variety of regular fares to meet your bus travel needs. From single rides to 30-day passes.
OC Bus offers many options for younger riders beginning with free rides for those 5 and under with a paying adult. Customers ages 18 and under can also enjoy savings.
Customers 60 years and older and persons with disabilities are offered reduced fares when riding OC Bus. Proper identification is required when purchasing and using a reduced fare.
Express buses travel between Orange County and neighboring counties utilizing freeways and making fewer stops. Express Routes 701 and 721 service Los Angeles and Route 794 serves Riverside/Corona. Special fares apply.
OC Express buses travel within Orange County utilizing freeways and making fewer stops. OC Express Route 206 connects Santa Ana and Lake Forest and Routes 211 and 213 connect Irvine to Brea and Huntington Beach. Special fares apply.
Specialty Passes
OC bus offers specialty bus passes and fares throughout the year. They are design specifically to meet the needs of college and university students, employers, and youth.
The 30-day College Pass is a reduced fare pass available to students enrolled in 9 or more units a semester at participating colleges. Proper identification is required when purchasing and using a reduced fare.
OC Bus has partnered with California State University, Fullerton, UC Irvine and Chapman University to provide a low-cost University pass for students and faculty.
This program is a partnership between OCTA and local participating colleges that provides all registered students with an OC Bus pass for the semester.
Offered through eligible employers, the OC Bus Perk Pass offers affordable bus passes that can reduce employee transportation costs and stress levels!
Beginning in March 2022, youth ages 6 to 18 will be able to ride all OC Bus every day for free through September 2022.