New Fast Fare System
Metro is going to launch its new fare system at the end of the month.
As part of this:
- We're moving to smart cards and a fare capping system where riders set up online accounts rather than 31-day passes and 10-ride cards
New Fare Cap Pricing
| Single Ride | $2.00 |
| Day | $5.00 |
| Week | $16.25 |
| Month | $65.00 |
Our fare prices will shift slightly. Youth, seniors, those with disabilities, and low income individuals will all be at one discounted half-price fare
Half-Price Fare Cap Pricing
| Single Ride | $1.00 |
| Day | $2.50 |
| Week | $7.00 |
| Month | $28.00 |
- We're working with city agencies to hand out cards and trade out these old fare items to new smart cards and set up accounts so that they can use half price fares
- Everyone will need to tap their card every time they board (the system will handle transfers)
- Cash will NOT be accepted on BRT platforms
- Riders boarding with cash need to buy a one-ride ticket or one-day pass on ticket machines on the platform
- Value can also be added to cards at these machines
- Old fare media can be accepted when boarding at standard blue signs with metal poles
- New sales outlets will be set up where people can add value to their smartcards
Below is a timeline of what happens next.
Wednesday, August 14
- Metro stops selling old fare media online
Sunday, August 18
Fast Fare cards are now being distributed to Edgewood and Madison College.
- Students can start boarding on Sunday, August 18
- Not all equipment will be installed then
- If there is no equipment, record ride with KEY 5 (Madison College) and KEY 6 (Edgewood)
- These schools will be using blue Fast Fare cards
Monday, August 19
- Ticket vending machines will start to be installed at BRT stations
- Machines won't be live until BRT launches
Tuesday, August 27
- This is the approximate date the system will go live.
- Riders will be encouraged to pick up a card, set up online accounts, and register for half-price fares
- Social service agencies will be encouraged to trade in old passes and cards for tap-card versions of 1-ride cards and 31-day passes
Sunday, September 1
- UW employees, students, and MMSD students will start tapping their cards to board
- There will still be 1-week grace period for MMSD students
- General public may also start tapping their cards
- Old sales outlets will be closed.
- Metro will stop selling old fare items at the front desk.
- Youth, Seniors, and those with disabilities now pay $1 cash fare
BRT Launch Date
- Everyone must have a tap card to board at BRT stations
- Small business bus pass programs, Dane County, Meriter, St. Marys, City of Madison employees will be issued tap cards
- Cash NOT accepted when boarding at BRT stations
- Cash users must buy bar code single ride tickets and daily passes on ticket machines platforms
- Machines accept cash, credit cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay
- Cash/old fare media WILL be accepted on buses that pick up at standard stops (blue sign, metal pole)
Notes
- With riders boarding at rear and back doors, drivers do NOT need to check IDs
- Only need to press farebox buttons as needed as equipment installs are finishing up
- Route 80-84, still board without tapping cards.
- Paratransit will continue to use paper tickets
Future Items
- Roll out to paratransit service
- Ability to load money and board using an app
- Credit card, Google Pay and Apple Pay accepted on the bus
NEW CARD DESIGNS
