Bus Fare Options

Automatic Mail Plan | Buy Fare Online | Reduced (Discount) Fares
Semester Passes | Tempe Free Passes | ASU Free Passes

New Fare Policy Effective December 1

• All Day Passes - You will be able to purchase All Day passes from the farebox as you board. Use it to transfer from bus to bus, or in the future from bus to rail and back again.
• $1.25 per ride, with no transfer slip - Instead, you will be able to purchase an All Day pass with multiple transfer privileges on the bus. Bus Card Plus customers will be charged for all transfers up to the cap amount.
• 3, 7 and 31 Day Local Passes Activated on First Use - Your multiple-day local pass will be valid for 3, 7 or 31 consecutive days after activation.
• 4 Easy Ways to Buy - Purchase your fare online, through the mail, at transit centers and retail locations, or on the bus.*
  
• New fareboxes with added features - You will be able to purchase All Day passes on the bus at the farebox. The farebox will accept exact change per individual in $1 and $2 bills and all forms of U.S. coins (except 50 cent pieces) in good condition.

No Refunds: Valley Metro cannot offer refunds for lost or unused portions of any fare type.

Free Fares: Children under age six are not charged a fare for local or express bus service when accompanied by a responsible, fare-paying adult. Free fares do not apply to dial-a-ride service.

The Automatic Mail Plan

Valley Metro's Automatic Mail Plan is a convenient way for you to receive a 31-Day pass in the mail each month and automatically charge your credit card or pay by check. Once you are signed up for the program, your 31-Day pass is mailed to you by the end of each month. Remember, the new Valley Metro 31-Day pass is activated the first time you use it on the bus and is good for the following 31 days.

How Can I Sign Up?

It's easy to sign up for the Valley Metro Automatic Mail Plan. Just complete the Application Form and fax or mail it back with your deposit (credit card number, check or money order. If you pay by check or money order you will receive an invoice when your 31-Day pass is sent in the mail at the end of the month and your payment is due by the 16th of the month.

If you have any questions concerning the Automatic Mail Program, call customer service at (602) 495-5795, TTY (602) 261-8208 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Buy Fare Online

You can also purchase bus passes online with a credit card. Passes are usually received in the mail within 5-7 days after purchase.

Reduced (Discount) Fares

Youths ages 6 to 18, people 65 or over, and persons with disabilities are eligible for reduced fares. (Other people who have been issued Medicare cards by the Social Security Administration are eligible as well.) Any photo ID showing an individual’s age is acceptable proof of age for youths and seniors. Medicare cards are accepted for seniors and persons with disabilities. The Valley Metro Reduced-Fare Identification Card is available for $2.50. Call (602) 253-5000 or TTY at (602) 261-8208 for information on how to get your card. Customer service representatives are available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and designated holidays.

Download the Reduced Fare Application [15K PDF] for Seniors, Youths, and Persons with Disabilities. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you may download it free from Adobe's website.)

Take the completed form and the $2.50 fee to a Valley Metro Reduced Fare Photo ID Permanent Photo Site. The photo sites are indicated by the blue background on the Bus Fare Outlets page.

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Semester Passes

Semester Passes can be purchased by full-time students enrolled in technical, trade, college, or graduate courses at participating schools. The passes are good for unlimited rides on local routes for the time period printed on the pass. Additional fares are required for express routes. To find out if your school participates in the Semester Pass program, call (602) 253-5000, or TTY at (602) 261-8208.

Tempe Free Passes

Students ages 6 to 18 who live in Tempe are eligible for a free Valley-wide bus pass. Applicants must provide proof of age and Tempe residency. In order to get the free pass, youth ages 6 to 17 must bring a parent or guardian to the Tempe Transit Store, located at 502 S. College Avenue, to sign a permission form. Visit www.tempe.gov/tim for a registration form and eligibility list.

ASU Free Passes

ASU students and employees who present a valid ASU ID are eligible to receive a free Valley-wide bus pass. Tempe campus students, faculty an staff may get their U-Pass from the ASU Decal Sales Office. All eligible participants at West and Polytech (East) campuses may get their U-Pass at their respective campus parking offices. For more information, contact ASU at 480-965-1072.

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