Reduced Fare Application Guide
Do you have a Wave account?
Wave is OCTA's fare payment system. About Wave
Great! Please enter the email address associated with your Wave account. This will allow us to connect your new reduced fare with your Wave account.
You must create a Wave account before proceeding with the reduced fare ID application. Please visit the Wave account sign-up page to create an account and then return here and select “Yes” above.
Application requirements to apply for disabled reduced fare status
You must have one of the eligible documents below to qualify for a disabled reduced fare status. Review the list below to ensure you have one of the eligible documents, then select from the answers below to continue your application process.
- OCTA OC ACCESS Reduced Fare Identification Card
- Medicare identification card
- Service-connected Veteran Identification Card
- Braille Institute Identification Card
- Persons with disability cards from other agencies
- Customer receipt for a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Disabled Persons Placard
- Medi-Cal State of California Benefits Card
- Cal Optima health care card
- Social Security card
- Social Security benefits documentation
- Doctor’s note
- OCTA reduced fare identification eligibility form
- Any other form not shown or indicated
How would you like to apply?
Choose from the options below.
-
Online
Please have your eligible document and required photo ready before you begin the application process.
-
In-Person at the OCTA Store
Applicants applying in person must bring all required documents to complete the application process at the OCTA Store.
-
By Mail
Applicants submitting their application by mail must include all required documents to complete the application process.
Requirements for applying in person
Please read the following instructions carefully before visiting the OCTA Store. You must bring all required documents with you to complete the in-person application process.
Instructions
Please review the list of eligible documents below and bring one of them with you when visiting the OCTA Store to apply for a disabled reduced fare status.
- OCTA OC ACCESS Reduced Fare Identification Card
- Medicare identification card
- Service-connected Veteran Identification Card
- Braille Institute Identification Card
- Persons with disability cards from other agencies
- Customer receipt for a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Disabled Persons Placard
- Medi-Cal State of California Benefits Card
- Cal Optima health care card
- Social Security card
- Social Security benefits documentation
- Doctor’s note
- OCTA reduced fare identification eligibility form
- Any other form not shown or indicated
What to Know
- Applicants will be asked to fill out a form including your name, address, and other information.
- A photo of the applicant will be taken during the application process.
- Applicants applying in person will be issued their reduced fare status on the same day.
- If you plan to use the Wave mobile app to pay for rides, please download the app, create your Wave account, and set up a virtual Wave card and bring your phone with you. If you need help, the OCTA Store staff will be happy to assist you.
- If you currently have a Wave card you would like to link your reduced fare status to, bring that card with you.
- If you will require a Wave card, the OCTA Store will be able to issue you a card at no charge during the application process.
OCTA Store
600 S Main St
Orange, CA 92868
View on Google Map
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
View Holiday Schedule
Before you visit the OCTA Store, please note that your reduced fare application will require third party authorization.
Please read the instructions below prior to visiting the OCTA Store.
Instructions
Please review the authorization forms below and download the one that applies to you. You will need to bring a completed authorization form with you when applying at the OCTA Store.
Authorization form must be completed by your healthcare professional.
Authorization form must be completed by a School Psychologist or Special Education Coordinator.
Authorization form must be completed by your Care Coordinator or Case Manager.
What to Know
- Applicants will be asked to fill out a form including your name, address, birthdate and other information.
- A photo of the applicant will be taken during the application process.
- Applicants applying in person will be issued their reduced fare status on the same day.
- If you plan to use the Wave mobile app to pay for rides, please download the app, create your Wave account, and set up a virtual Wave card and bring your phone with you. If you need help, the OCTA Store staff will be happy to assist you.
- If you currently have a Wave card you would like to link your reduced fare status to, bring that card with you.
- If you will require a Wave card, the OCTA Store will be able to issue you a card at no charge during the application process.
OCTA Store
600 S Main St
Orange, CA 92868
View on Google Map
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
View Holiday Schedule
Before continuing to the online application, please note that your reduced fare approval will require third party authorization.
Read the instructions below and then click “Continue to Online Application”.
Instructions
If you have already received your third-party authorization, please continue to the application. If you have not obtained your third-party authorization, you can still complete your online application today. Within 30 days of submitting your online application, you will need to send one of the following authorization forms via email to customers@octa.net.
Please review the authorization forms below and download the one that applies to you. You will need the completed form prior to final approval of your online application.
Authorization form must be completed by your healthcare professional.
Authorization form must be completed by a School Psychologist or Special Education Coordinator.
Authorization form must be completed by your Care Coordinator or Case Manager.
Requirements for applying by mail
Please read the following instructions carefully before mailing your application. You must submit all required documents with your mail in application.
Instructions
Review the list below to ensure you have one of the eligible documents to apply for a disabled reduced fare status.
- OCTA OC ACCESS Reduced Fare Identification Card
- Medicare identification card
- Service-connected Veteran Identification Card
- Braille Institute Identification Card
- Persons with disability cards from other agencies
- Customer receipt for a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Disabled Persons Placard
- Medi-Cal State of California Benefits Card
- Cal Optima health care card
- Social Security card
- Social Security benefits documentation
- Doctor’s note
- OCTA reduced fare identification eligibility form
- Any other form not shown or indicated
Photo Guidelines
Applicants with photos that do not adhere to the guidelines will be denied.
- The individual in the photo must be the applicant
- Full face only, similar to a passport photo
- No hats or sunglasses
- Must use a plain white or off-white background only
What to Know
- The application will ask you to include your name, address and other information.
- Both an eligible document and an acceptable photo of the applicant must be included with the mail in application. See requirements above.
- Applicants submitting their application by mail can expect a response within 10-14 business days. Upon approval, your designated Wave card will have your reduced fare status linked to it. If an application is denied, the applicant will receive notification that will include the reason(s) for denial, which they can correct or appeal within 14 days of the date of the denial notification.
- If you plan to use the Wave mobile app to pay for rides, please download the app, create your Wave account, and set up a virtual Wave card. Your virtual card number will be required on your application so your reduced fare status can be linked to it.
- If you currently have a Wave card you would like to link your reduced fare status to, you will need to enter that card number and pin number on your application.
- If you will require a Wave card, you can request one, at no charge, during the application process.
Download the Application Form
Download, print and complete the Disabled Reduced Fare Application form (see download button below).
Mail Your Application
- Your completed application form
- A copy of your eligibility document
- A photo of yourself
PO Box 14184
Orange, California 92863-1584
Requirements for applying by mail
Please read the following instructions carefully before mailing your application. You must submit all required documents your mail in application.
Instructions
Please review the authorization forms below and download the one that applies to you.
Authorization form must be completed by your healthcare professional.
Authorization form must be completed by a School Psychologist or Special Education Coordinator.
Authorization form must be completed by your Care Coordinator or Case Manager.
Photo Guidelines
Applicants with photos that do not adhere to the guidelines will be denied.
- The individual in the photo must be the applicant
- Full face only, similar to a passport photo
- No hats or sunglasses
- Must use a plain white or off-white background only
What to Know
- The application will ask you to include your name, address, birthdate and other information.
- Both an eligible document and an acceptable photo of the applicant must be included with the mail in application. See requirements above.
- Applicants submitting their application by mail can expect a response within 10-14 business days. Upon approval, your designated Wave card will have your reduced fare status linked to it. If an application is denied, the applicant will receive notification that will include the reason(s) for denial, which they can correct or appeal within 14 days of the date of the denial notification.
- If you plan to use the Wave mobile app to pay for rides, please download the app, create your Wave account, and set up a virtual Wave card. Your virtual card number will be required on your application so your reduced fare status can be linked to it.
- If you currently have a Wave card you would like to link your reduced fare status to, you will need to enter that card number and pin number on your application.
- If you will require a Wave card, you can request one, at no charge, during the application process.
Mail Your Application
- Your completed authorization form
- A photo of yourself
PO Box 14184
Orange, California 92863-1584
Disabled Persons: Eligible Documents
Below are example images of eligible documents for OCTA’s Disabled Reduced Fare. Please note that Disability cards from other transit agencies (not OCTA) are eligible but not shown below.
