Need to reload that Orca card? Do it early
SEATTLE -- The Orca card was supposed to make taking different forms of mass transit around here work seamlessly. But several hundred are reporting a problem with the card -- it takes too long for money to show up in your balance if you reload it online.
Right now, Sound Transit gets 1,500 orca card e-mails and phone calls a week, and more than half are complaints that their money never showed up.
One of those stuck was Mike Pietsch. The Orca card is supposed to get you on the bus, the light rail and even the ferry. But Pietsch, who went to go take the bus, couldn't get past the driver when is card didn't work. And to top it off, he didn't have cash for the fare.
"You're told 'Well, we can't help you' and you go 'Ahhhhh!' " he said.
Sound Transit says the issue stems from people reloading the Orca card online. A spokeswoman says it is a smart card system and takes at least 24 hours before money you pay for online shows up on your card.
The agency suggests putting money on your Orca card days before you actually need it. In Pietsch's case, it took four days to show up.
If you need funds immediately, you can add the money to your Orca card at kiosks at the Link or Sounder stations and the money is available right away.
Right now, Sound Transit gets 1,500 orca card e-mails and phone calls a week, and more than half are complaints that their money never showed up.
One of those stuck was Mike Pietsch. The Orca card is supposed to get you on the bus, the light rail and even the ferry. But Pietsch, who went to go take the bus, couldn't get past the driver when is card didn't work. And to top it off, he didn't have cash for the fare.
"You're told 'Well, we can't help you' and you go 'Ahhhhh!' " he said.
Sound Transit says the issue stems from people reloading the Orca card online. A spokeswoman says it is a smart card system and takes at least 24 hours before money you pay for online shows up on your card.
The agency suggests putting money on your Orca card days before you actually need it. In Pietsch's case, it took four days to show up.
If you need funds immediately, you can add the money to your Orca card at kiosks at the Link or Sounder stations and the money is available right away.