
New Valley Metro fare machine on Roosevelt Street and Central Ave, arts district light rail station on Dec. 10. Photo by Alyssa Bickle.
Valley Metro has gone paperless, so now all buses and light rail stations only accept a new “Copper Card,” or mobile fare via QR-code in a smartphone app instead of paper passes, but riders still have the option of a one-ride cash option onboard the bus or at fare machines at light rail stations.
According to Valley Metro, the new “smart fare” system ensures that once riders reach the daily, weekly, or monthly fares, they don’t pay extra during that time period regardless of how many trips they take.
Instead of paying upfront for a fare, riders will choose between paying with the Valley Metro app or a physical Copper Card, load money to the card or app, and scan a mobile fare QR code or tap the card every time they ride.
Riders cannot switch between using both fare options with the same account, they must choose between the app or the card. A one-ride cash option onboard the bus or at fare machines at light rail stations will still be available.
Renata Cló, a Valley Metro spokesperson, said the new fare system is intended to bring Valley Metro in line with other large public systems across the US, and make transit more accessible and appealing, with increased options for how riders can pay fares.
Riders no longer need to pay upfront for fares — except for a $4 issuance fee for a Copper Card — and they will not pay more than the daily maximum of $4, weekly maximum of $20, and monthly maximum of $64 with the new “smart fare” system.
Express or “RAPID” rides are capped at $6.50 per day or $104 per calendar month.
This system may result in discounts for frequent transit riders, and there is still a one ride fare available to board buses, and at each light rail station. Valley Metro has not increased fare prices since 2013.
For riders who have unused paper passes, they have until December 31 to go to a transit center (Ed Pastor, Central Station, or Sunnyslope) window and transfer credit to the new fare system.
ASU students and faculty can still purchase and use U-passes through the university’s parking and transportation services.
How do I create a Valley Metro mobile fare account?
- Visit valleymetrofares.org
- Select “create account”
- Fill out required information
- Download the Valley Metro app
- Sign into the app with the account credentials you used to create your account
- Or, download the app and create an account from scratch there
How can I add funds to my mobile fare account using the Valley Metro app?
- Use Apple or Google Pay, or a credit or debit card in the app under the “wallet” tab
- Use a credit or debit card on the fares website
How do I use cash to add funds to my mobile fare account?
- Visit a participating retail location, find one near you here: valleymetro.org/appcash
- Click on “Wallet” on the bottom of the screen in the Valley Metro app
- Tell the cashier the amount you would like to load and have them scan the bar code on your screen
- Pay for the transaction and take your receipt
How do I get a Copper Card?
- Purchase one at a fare machine at a light rail station
- Find a retail location that sells them (find one near you at valleymetro.org/coppercard)
- Visit a transit center window and ask to purchase a Copper Card
- Buy one online and have it shipped to your address (no shipping costs)
How do I load and reload money to my Copper Card?
- Use a credit or debit card on the fares website
- Use a credit, debit card, or cash at a retail location
- Use Apple or Google Pay, a credit or debit card, or cash at new fare machines
- You cannot load a Copper card through the app
How do I get a reduced fare?
Reduced fare on local bus routes and light rail is available to youth ages 6-18, seniors ages 65 and older, persons with disabilities and Medicare card holders. The issuance fee for reduced fare Copper Cards is $0.
- Apply online to have a reduced fare Copper Card sent to you or to start purchasing reduced fare in the Valley Metro app.
- Riders can apply in-person for a reduced fare account at a transit center window.
Is the new system creating potential barriers to accessing public transit?
Amy Schwabenlender, CEO of Keys to Change, has heard from employees who work with clients the organization serves that the new fare system is confusing, and they are running into barriers obtaining the Copper Card and getting the reduced fare set up.
Keys to Change, formerly known as the Human Services Campus, is a nonprofit organization in downtown Phoenix working to end homelessness.
For people experiencing homelessness, they often have some kind of phone, but it usually isn’t a smartphone with access to apps like the Valley Metro app — and they often don’t have a bank account, much less a bank account attached to a smartphone, to load money onto a card or app, Schwabenlender said.
“Putting things into technology does add barriers,” Schwabenlender said. “It makes it harder for people who are already facing a lot of challenges to get around and make it to appointments or make it to a job interview.”
Valley Metro offers a social services fare program for nonprofits, schools, or government agencies who serve homeless individuals — which Keys to Change qualifies for, to purchase local, full fare 1-Day, 7-Day and 31-Day passes as Copper Cards or Limited-use cards at half price to provide to clients.
Keys to Change has three employees who have completed “travel training” with Valley Metro — in order to better educate clients on routes, fare options, and transportation schedules, Schwabenlender said.
“[It] can allow people to do so many things, and they learn how to use the public transportation system themselves, which takes away that unknowing, the fear, especially for people who have had physical health or mental health challenges,” Schwabenlender said.
This change makes public transit easier for people who don’t carry cash and are technologically savvy, Schwabenlender said.
“If you’re not savvy with technology, or you don’t even have a smartphone, then this switch is not making it easier for those folks, and it’s potentially making it more challenging,” she said.
Schwabenlender recognizes that change takes time, and hopes the system will improve as it progresses.
Due to ridership numbers, and numbers of Copper Card and mobile fare scans, Valley Metro believes that almost all riders have transitioned to the new system, Cló said.
“We have really done everything we can to communicate [the fare change] and we feel that our riders are now fully transitioned, and they are benefiting from smart fare and for a better and more equitable fare system,” Cló said.
By the end of the year, every fare machine will have been replaced with the new technology, Cló said. The new machines have accessibility features and they accept Google and Apple Pay, as well as credit cards.
“We have received very positive feedback,” Cló said. “We understand that this is a big change and that outreach was going to be needed.”
The transit company’s public outreach included:
- 52 shifts on buses and light rails where staff boarded and conducted fare education to riders.
- 19 pop-up events at transit centers and community centers where Valley Metro converted paper passes to credit on the new system, distributed Copper Cards and conducted fare education.
- 13 town hall presentations about the new fare system and answered riders’ questions.
- Presented at 50 in-person community events to conduct fare education and provide materials to riders about the new fare system.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the correction weekly maximum payment and to add more information from Valley Metro regarding ways to utilize the new transit pass system.
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