QFC stores join list of nearly 100 ORCA retail outlets, making travel easier

ORCA celebrates second birthday with more than 250,000 daily trips and counting

Riding buses, trains and ferries just became even more convenient with the addition of most regional QFC grocery stores to the growing list of ORCA participating vendors. Thirty-seven QFC stores are now among the nearly 100 retail locations in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties where customers can now purchase E-purse value or transit passes for their previously issued ORCA cards.

As ORCA - One Regional Card for All - turns two years old this week, the program continues to grow in popularity. ORCA cards are used on more than 250,000 trips each weekday and 49 percent of all transit trips in the region. ORCA has replaced about 300 transportation passes, tickets and transfers with a single, easy-to-use card that makes transfers between transit systems simpler and more convenient.

"QFC is excited to offer the convenience of the ORCA Card to our customers," said Eric Miller, Public Affairs Specialist for QFC. "Now our shoppers can take care of their public transportation and grocery needs in one simple trip."

"ORCA makes taking advantage of riding transit easier than ever," said ORCA Regional Program Administrator Cheryl Huston. "There's no better way to celebrate Earth Day this year than to grab an ORCA card and make public transportation part of your life."

QFC joins other ORCA retail outlets, including 50 Safeway stores, seven Saar's Marketplace locations and four other retail outlets. A complete list of participating retailers is posted at www.orcacard.com. The retail outlets provide great options for revaluing existing cards. Initially, riders must acquire their cards through one of several other convenient options.

Customers can order their ORCA cards online at www.orcacard.com, by calling 1-888-988-ORCA (6722), by visiting a transit agency customer service office or at a fare vending machine. Once a customer gets an ORCA card through one of these channels, it can be revalued at a participating retailer's service center.

Adding value online or by phone takes 24 to 48 hours to process. Riders can avoid this delay by visiting a retail outlet, fare vending machine and an ORCA customer service location - or by setting up "Autoload," an automatic revaluing feature. Getting an ORCA card for reduced youth, senior or disabled fares requires a one-time visit to an ORCA Customer Service Office.

For information about ORCA visit www.orcacard.com or call 1-888-988-6722 (ORCA), TTY Relay 711.