Federal law now requires anyone on the METRO system to wear a face mask. This includes rail stations, transit centers and bus stops. Plastic face shields are not considered masks. Exemptions are available for children under the age of two, a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask or wear one safely because of a disability defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Violators could be denied service and/or face federal penalties.

Fares: METRO Q® Fare Card, Day Pass & More

Fare for local buses or METRORail is $1.25.

METRO Q® Fare Card

The METRO Q® is our electronic fare card which acts like a “digital wallet.” This unique card contains a microchip that stores your cash balance directly onto your card. Fares are automatically deducted each time you pay to ride, just like a debit card. Customer should maintain possession of the METRO Q® Fare Card or any other fare item upon boarding the bus or train as proof of paid fare. You get free unlimited transfers in any direction for up to three hours.

Order online

METRO Q Mobile Ticketing

Mobile tickets are a contactless fare payment option when riding any of these METRO services:

Local Bus
METRORail
METRORapid
Park & Ride

You can make purchases with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay (on iOS) or Google Pay (on Android). Tickets are then available for immediate activation and use.

Learn more

METRO Day Pass

Similar to the METRO Q® Fare Card, the METRO Day Pass is a reloadable card that offers a whole new way to ride, unlimited local bus and METRORail service with just three paid taps of your card – never pay more than $3 a day. Customer should maintain possession of their fare item upon boarding the bus or train as proof of paid fare. You get free unlimited transfers in any direction for up to three hours.

Order online

METRO Money

METRO Money is our disposable smart card that contains a predetermined dollar amount for use in paying METRORail and bus fares. Customer should maintain possession of their fare item upon boarding the bus or train as proof of paid fare. You get free unlimited transfers in any direction for up to three hours.

METRO Money is available in these denominations: $1.25, $2.50, $5, $10 and $20.

NOTE: These cards cannot be reloaded.

Order online

Cash graphic

Cash

Riders are welcome to pay with cash; however, exact change is required, and operators cannot make change. Transfers are only available when using the METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass.

Fare Zone Chart
Route Type	Fares	Discounted Fares Students, Seniors, Medicare Cardholders and Disabled
Local Bus / METRORail / METRORapid	$1.25 per ride	$0.60 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 1	$2.00 per ride	$1.00 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 2	$3.25 per ride	$1.60 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 3	$3.75 per ride	$1.85 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 4	$4.50 per ride	$2.25 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 7	$8.00 per ride	$4.00 per ride

NOTE: All fares are rounded to the nearest nickel, dime, or quarter.

Get specific cost per ride of a Park & Ride Fare Zone route >>

Comparison of Fare Cards
METRO Q® Fare Card	METRO Day Pass
The METRO Q® Fare Card offers the best value for riders who use local bus, rail or commuter service once or twice daily.	The METRO Day Pass offers the best value for frequent local bus and rail riders who travel three or more times daily.
No rider restrictions. Card can be used anytime on any METRO bus or train.	Reloadable Valid only on the day of activation – expires 2 a.m. the following morning.
FREE Transfers (up to three hours in any direction) with every paid fare.	FREE Transfers (up to three hours in any direction) for the first two paid fares. Enjoy unlimited travel, in any direction, after your third paid fare - same day only.
METRO offers a 50 percent discount on all bus and light-rail service for students, seniors, Medicare cardholders and the disabled. Children ages five and under ride METRO for free and must be accompanied by an adult. Customers can load/reload their card using any amount ranging from $5 to $500.	METRO offers a 50 percent discount on all bus and light-rail service for students, seniors, Medicare cardholders and the disabled. Children ages five and under ride METRO for free and must be accompanied by an adult. Riders can preload up to $500 per card.
Users are rewarded over time, offering 5 FREE rides for every 50 paid trips.* *Trips cannot be combined from multiple METRO Q® Cards.	Frequent users are rewarded the same day, offering unlimited local bus and rail service.
Tap your card to pay.	Activates after three paid taps of your card. Never pay more than $3 a day – no matter how often you ride.
Valid on all METRO bus and light-rail service.	Valid on METRO Park & Ride service; however, paid fares will not count toward the unlimited local bus and rail travel benefit.

NOTE: METRO is neither associated, nor affiliated with Q Card Company or Brush Holding, Inc.