Wave by OCTA

Wave by OCTA

The easiest way to pay & ride

178 ratings
95 reviews
Free
With Ads

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • September 19, 2025
  • September 14, 2026

Features

Wave by OCTA screenshot #1 for iPhone
Wave by OCTA screenshot #2 for iPhone
Wave by OCTA screenshot #3 for iPhone
Wave by OCTA screenshot #4 for iPhone
Wave by OCTA screenshot #5 for iPhone
Wave by OCTA screenshot #6 for iPhone
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About

This app simplifies public transit by allowing users to pay for rides and manage their transit cards. It automatically caps fares to ensure the best price and offers real-time bus information for trip planning. Users can easily add value, manage multiple cards, and utilize features like autopay and virtual cards for seamless travel.

✓Automatic fare capping
✓Pay as you ride
✓Real-time bus information
✓Virtual card creation
✓Add value with cash
✓Autopay for reloads
✓Manage multiple cards
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What users say

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What's New in Wave by OCTA

1.5.0

September 14, 2026

We’ve been working hard to improve your experience with our app. 
 This update includes: * General performance improvements * Bug fixes and stability enhancements * Minor UI and usability updates  Thank you for using Wave!

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User reviews

So bad had to write a review

I’m sure you can see the amount of 1 stars this app gets and I can assure you they are completely justified. I can’t even begin to describe how bad this app is when you need to step foot on a bus. I have never written a review on the app store before and this will be my first because of how terrible my experience is. The amount of times this app logs you out when you need to travel anywhere is absurd and this year it only seems to have gotten worse. An app that’s supposed to be convenient so that you may be able to access public transportation all of a sudden doesn’t become so convenient and reliable anymore. This was an issue that has been occurring for at least a year but it has become more apparent this year. I, and many others can only hope and pray this app gets updated to become something actually functional and reliable. If there was an option for 0 stars I’d push the limit to open up negatives.
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Student passes don’t work

I used my student email to register for an account several times and every time its failed to link me to the institution, I’ve asked my school they can’t do anything because its your app and whenever I call the customer support I only get bots and bus rates but no support you should’ve stuck with the OCTA app it was good while it lasted
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OC Fair

Downloaded the app and added money to use for my family so we can ride the OC Express but the bus will only allow a 1 time scan to enter the bus for 1 person. I could not use the rest of the money I had already paid to scan for my family. The rest of my family had to quickly find dollar bills since they only accept exact change. OCTA’s previous app was much easier to use.
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The worst ever!

Do not use this app. It is extremely frustrating and unreliable. Multiple times it has logged me out right before getting on the bus, and when I try to log back in it says my password is incorrect. Then I have to go through the whole process of resetting my password through the website, entering my information, and waiting for an email link just to get access again. Meanwhile, the buses will leave and won’t wait for you while you’re trying to fix the app. The only time they might wait is if the driver is nice enough to. Save yourself the stress and use a bus card instead.
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No indication on pass confirming college linked

After creating a virtual card and linking my college, the pass still says Rider Type “Regular” - shouldn’t this say “Rider Type “Linked” and the Low Balance banner is just wrong since I have free unlimited rides. The UI is poor and the UX isn’t intuitive. I am terrified to use the pass on a bus. My account is linked to my school and my account is linked to my pass. There is nothing which indicates the pass is linked to the school. This missing communication is the difference between success and failure - trust or humiliation.
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Developer apps

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

5 issues

Can't sign in

Bug

Not working

Bug

Totally unable to sign in

Bug

No free virtual on update

Bug

Where's the free 15th-31st rides?

Bug
✨

Requested Features

2 requests

Free bus pass option

Feature

Easier college pass transfer

Feature

FAQ

What does the Wave by OCTA app do?

The Wave by OCTA app makes riding OC Bus easier by allowing you to pay for your trips and manage your transit card. It automatically caps your daily and monthly fares, ensuring you always get the best price. You can also access real-time bus information to plan your journeys effectively.

How does the fare capping work?

The app automatically caps your fares, meaning you'll never overpay for your bus rides. Once your spending reaches a certain threshold for a day or month, you won't be charged further for additional rides within that period, guaranteeing you the lowest possible fare.

Is the app free to use?

Yes, the app itself is free to download and use. While there are no upfront costs to get a virtual card, you will need to add value to your card to pay for your bus rides. This value can be added directly through the app or at participating retailers.

What are the key features of the Wave app?

Key features include paying as you ride without pre-paying for passes, automatic fare capping for the best prices, creating a free virtual card, setting up autopay for automatic reloads, adding value with cash at retailers, and managing up to eight reusable Wave cards.

Can I use this app for trip planning?

While the app provides real-time bus information to help you plan your trip, it also connects to the Transit App for more comprehensive trip planning features. This integration allows for seamless planning and execution of your public transit journeys.