Fare Restructuring Coming July 16
The Metro Board of Trustees has approved a new fare structure that will take effect on July 16, 2025. The update includes a modest fare increase—only the third in the past 20 years—alongside major improvements to the child fare policy and the launch of Tap&Save, a modern payment system that makes riding cost-effective for all customers.
The fare increase averages approximately 10% across all service types. Under the new structure, local fares will be $2.20 and express route fares will be $3.00. The new MetroNow! fare will be $2.50 and the new Access fare will be $4.40.
New Child Fare Policy: Simpler, Fairer, Family-Friendly
Metro is also updating its child fare policy to better serve families and align with national standards:
- Children under 55 inches tall will ride free with a fare-paying adult (limit two children per adult).
- Children over 55 inches tall will pay full fare.
- To support this change, each bus will feature a height indicator at the 55-inch mark to help operators and customers easily determine eligibility.
- This update is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which report the average height of a 10-year-old child is 54.5 inches—regardless of gender.
Tap&Save: Guaranteed Lowest Fare
Metro’s new Tap&Save payment model simplifies how riders pay their fare and ensures they always get the best deal. Instead of buying a pass upfront, riders can load funds onto their smartphone or smart card and simply tap or scan each time they board.The system tracks daily and monthly spending and automatically caps costs at the equivalent of a 24-hour or 30-day pass. That means once a rider spends the daily or monthly cap, additional rides are free during that period—making transit more affordable and accessible for frequent riders. Physical passes will still be available for purchase online and at Metro’s sales office. Buses will also continue to accept cash.
These updates build on the momentum of Metro’s new Rider Rewards program, launched in April 2025, which allows customers to earn points for riding and redeem them for free rides and gift cards. Together, these initiatives are part of Metro’s continued commitment to improving the rider experience and making public transit more accessible and affordable.
Get complete details about the fare restructuring, Tap&Save, and the Rider Rewards program here.
|
