Effective January 1, 2012, Intercity Transit will no longer accept the One Regional Card for All (ORCA) on its Olympia Express service. Intecity Transit will replace the ORCA "flash pass" with an Olympia Express monthly pass, effective January 1. The new pass, also valid on local Intercity Transit service, costs $75 Full fare or $37.50 Reduced fare and can be used for unlimited rides. You can purchase the new pass beginning December 24, 2011. For advance orders, contact Customer Service. All other existing Intercity and Pierce Transit fare instruments valid on Olympia Express remain unchanged.

The Transit Authority's decision to discontinue the ORCA card was based on several factors including:

• infeasibility of installing ORCA card readers on its buses by last year;
• accepting the ORCA card as a "flash pass" is an operational and financial burden on the agency; and
• ongoing uncertainty of when, or if, implementation of the electronic fare system will be feasible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Intercity Transit values its customers and strives to provide the best service possible with the operating resources available.