Valley Metro is driving into the future with new technology and options for riders to purchase fare and more easily access their transit system. In the future, riders will be able to purchase fare on their mobile device or through a reloadable fare card and scan or tap that fare on new fare readers throughout the system. Both options will be an account-based system where riders can add funds, track transaction history, view account balances and more. Here is a look at future updates for the fare system.
Timeline
Valley Metro app launch
Riders are now able to track their transit vehicles in real-time, plan a trip and check rider alerts all in one place. The Valley Metro app launched early as a tool to help riders during the pandemic.
Fare reader installation
Riders will see fare readers installed at rail stations and onboard buses. Pardon our progress while construction takes place at each rail station. Read more about the construction impacts on our Pardon Our Progress page.
Mobile fare pilot
During the pilot, Valley Metro will test the mobile app and new bus and rail fare readers to ensure they function as expected ahead of the public launch. Sign up for email updates from Valley Metro for project updates and pilot participation!
Customer service fare support
Additional customer service representatives will be trained and available to help riders with questions about their account, purchasing fares, reduced fare application processing and more.
Mobile fare launch
All riders with an account on the Valley Metro app will be able to use their device to purchase 1-Ride and 1-Day passes for bus, light rail and streetcar and activate them at any rail station or onboard buses.
Additional improvements will be added to the app, including customizable trip and service alerts.
Riders can track their fare purchases and add funds through a secure website.
New fare vending machines
Pardon our progress and the construction while we replace and modernize our fare vending machines for the reloadable fare cards.
New specialty cards
Riders who participate in specialty pass programs, such as Platinum Pass, ADA Platinum Pass, school passes, etc. will receive a new card that is compatible with the new rail and bus fare readers.
Reloadable fare cards
Riders will have the option to use a reloadable fare card or mobile fare. Paper, magnetic stripe passes will eventually be eliminated.
The new cards will be compatible with the fare website to track your fare purchases.
Fare cards will be available to purchase in the new fare vending machines and at over 500 retail locations throughout the Valley.
New bus fareboxes
Fareboxes will be replaced on all buses, allowing for fare payment with cash. Note: cash payment will also be supported for the mobile app and reloadable cards via fare vending machines and the retail network.
Fare features
Additional fare features will be added to the Valley Metro app and reloadable fare cards.
Due to the dynamic nature of the project and circumstances beyond our control, the timeline above is subject to change.
Our new fare system seeks to enhance the customer experience and offers quick and simple ways to purchase and store fares. Riders will have more flexibility and convenience on when and how they purchase their fares. And, when riders create their own account, they can add to and track their fares through the app or a web-based portal.
Purchasing fare in the Valley Metro app will be the most convenient option, however, all fare types and ways to purchase will remain available through the first phases of this system upgrade. So, consider mobile fare another purchasing option, in addition to the bus farebox, fare vending machine, current retail locations or via the Valley Metro website.
Not yet. Additional fare options will be available in the app in the future.
MOBILE FARE
1-Ride (Bus/Light Rail)
1-Day (Bus/Light Rail)
1-Ride Express/RAPID
1-Day Express/RAPID
1-Ride Streetcar (coming in spring 2023)
Note: reduced fare is available to riders with a valid Valley Metro Reduced Fare ID. Learn more about the program here.
Visit our mobile app page to learn how to use the app and its current features.
When mobile fare is launched in early 2023, you’ll be able to access it by downloading or updating the Valley Metro app from the Android or Apple app stores. If you haven’t already, you must create an account in the app in order to purchase fare.
When you purchase fare in the app, a QR code will be generated which must be scanned before boarding.
RELOADABLE FARE CARD
Reloadable fare cards will be available in early 2024 at fare vending machines and over 500 retail locations, such as Walgreens, Circle K and more.
When the reloadable fare card becomes available in early 2024, riders can either use the mobile fare or the fare card, not both. Note: some specialty fare types (such as the employer-offered Platinum Pass) will only be offered as a fare card and may be added to the app later.
Valley Metro is driving into the future with new technology and options for riders to purchase fare and more easily access their transit system. In the future, riders will be able to purchase fare on their mobile device or through a reloadable fare card and scan or tap that fare on new fare readers throughout the system. Both options will be an account-based system where riders can add funds, track transaction history, view account balances and more. Here is a look at future updates for the fare system.
Timeline
Valley Metro app launch
Riders are now able to track their transit vehicles in real-time, plan a trip and check rider alerts all in one place. The Valley Metro app launched early as a tool to help riders during the pandemic.
Fare reader installation
Riders will see fare readers installed at rail stations and onboard buses. Pardon our progress while construction takes place at each rail station. Read more about the construction impacts on our Pardon Our Progress page.
Mobile fare pilot
During the pilot, Valley Metro will test the mobile app and new bus and rail fare readers to ensure they function as expected ahead of the public launch. Sign up for email updates from Valley Metro for project updates and pilot participation!
Customer service fare support
Additional customer service representatives will be trained and available to help riders with questions about their account, purchasing fares, reduced fare application processing and more.
Mobile fare launch
All riders with an account on the Valley Metro app will be able to use their device to purchase 1-Ride and 1-Day passes for bus, light rail and streetcar and activate them at any rail station or onboard buses.
Additional improvements will be added to the app, including customizable trip and service alerts.
Riders can track their fare purchases and add funds through a secure website.
New fare vending machines
Pardon our progress and the construction while we replace and modernize our fare vending machines for the reloadable fare cards.
New specialty cards
Riders who participate in specialty pass programs, such as Platinum Pass, ADA Platinum Pass, school passes, etc. will receive a new card that is compatible with the new rail and bus fare readers.
Reloadable fare cards
Riders will have the option to use a reloadable fare card or mobile fare. Paper, magnetic stripe passes will eventually be eliminated.
The new cards will be compatible with the fare website to track your fare purchases.
Fare cards will be available to purchase in the new fare vending machines and at over 500 retail locations throughout the Valley.
New bus fareboxes
Fareboxes will be replaced on all buses, allowing for fare payment with cash. Note: cash payment will also be supported for the mobile app and reloadable cards via fare vending machines and the retail network.
Fare features
Additional fare features will be added to the Valley Metro app and reloadable fare cards.
Due to the dynamic nature of the project and circumstances beyond our control, the timeline above is subject to change.
GENERAL
Our new fare system seeks to enhance the customer experience and offers quick and simple ways to purchase and store fares. Riders will have more flexibility and convenience on when and how they purchase their fares. And, when riders create their own account, they can add to and track their fares through the app or a web-based portal.
Purchasing fare in the Valley Metro app will be the most convenient option, however, all fare types and ways to purchase will remain available through the first phases of this system upgrade. So, consider mobile fare another purchasing option, in addition to the bus farebox, fare vending machine, current retail locations or via the Valley Metro website.
Not yet. Additional fare options will be available in the app in the future.
MOBILE FARE
1-Ride (Bus/Light Rail)
1-Day (Bus/Light Rail)
1-Ride Express/RAPID
1-Day Express/RAPID
1-Ride Streetcar (coming in spring 2023)
Note: reduced fare is available to riders with a valid Valley Metro Reduced Fare ID. Learn more about the program here.
Visit our mobile app page to learn how to use the app and its current features.
When mobile fare is launched in early 2023, you’ll be able to access it by downloading or updating the Valley Metro app from the Android or Apple app stores. If you haven’t already, you must create an account in the app in order to purchase fare.
When you purchase fare in the app, a QR code will be generated which must be scanned before boarding.
RELOADABLE FARE CARD
Reloadable fare cards will be available in early 2024 at fare vending machines and over 500 retail locations, such as Walgreens, Circle K and more.
When the reloadable fare card becomes available in early 2024, riders can either use the mobile fare or the fare card, not both. Note: some specialty fare types (such as the employer-offered Platinum Pass) will only be offered as a fare card and may be added to the app later.
