Transit agencies to test "smart cards"

Community Transit and Everett Transit are among seven public-transportation agencies that will test a "smart card" electronic-fare system that would allow riders to seamlessly travel throughout the region from system to system.

The plastic cards contain microchip processors that track fare transactions. Smart-card users can purchase passes with their cards or store funds for use in traveling across systems that have different fares. A card will automatically deduct fares or signal that a rider has a valid pass.

Other agencies participating in the test are Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit and Washington State Ferries.

The agencies are looking for as many as 6,000 riders to participate in the test, which will run Nov. 9 through Dec. 22.

Applications to test the smart card can be found aboard buses and ferries on designated test routes, or riders may apply online at www.orcatest.com. ORCA, which stands for One Regional Card for All, is the name of the program.

The projected smart-card test routes are:

• Community Transit Routes 100, 101, 114, 115 and 116.

• Everett Transit Route 9.

• King County Metro Transit Routes 101, 140, 150, 169, 177 and 194.

• Kitsap Transit Routes 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29 and 90.

• Sound Transit ST Express Routes 510, 511, 513, 560, 564, 565, 590, 591 and 594.

• Sounder commuter rail at the Kent, King Street and Tacoma Dome stations.

• Pierce Transit Routes 1, 11 and 13.

• Washington State Ferries' Seattle — Bremerton route.

If the test is successful, the system will be put into use in early 2008.