Our local public transit system is making some major changes in 2010. Along with the usual fare increase (its $0.25 this time), they’re also switching everything over to the new ORCA card system.

I ordered mine and added a PugetPass online. It was fairly straightforward.

If you usually use transit passes, you’ll need to get one of these new cards (unless you get them from your work – they’ll take care of it for you). Get one before Feb. 1st – that’s when they start charging $5 just for the card.

You can order one online at www.orcacard.com or pick one up at any of the self-serve ticket vending machines at all ST Link and Sounder train stations (i.e. the bus tunnel stations downtown).

The last key change is that King County Metro paper transfers will no longer be valid on other community transit systems (Sound Transit, etc.). Your ORCA card will automatically charge the correct amount if you have cash loaded on it (your “e-purse”). But paper transfers will still work between King County Metro buses.

Hope this helps you navigate these changes and get home to Wallingford [or Green Lake! - ed.] safely.

More details on these changes here.