Valley Metro hosting town halls to inform riders about new Smart Fare system

PHOENIX — Valley Metro is holding a series of town halls over the coming weeks so community members can learn about the new fare system called Smart Fare.

The town halls are part of Valley Metro’s Fare Technology Modernization project. It will give riders the option to purchase their fares on their smartphone or through a reloadable fare card.

To prepare for the transition to the new Smart Fare system, Valley Metro began installing new fare machines at its light rail stations across the metro Phoenix area in April.

When and where are the Smart Fare town halls?

The next town hall will be held May 9 at the Peoria Community Center.

A full list of times and locations is available online.

For those who can’t attend a town hall in person, there will be a virtual version on May 30. Also, a recording of a virtual town hall from April 25 can be viewed online.

How does the new Valley Metro fare system work?

Smart Fare is an account-based, pay-as-you-go system that allows riders to preload funds onto their Valley Metro app or Copper reloadable fare card

The Smart Fare machines will continue offering single-ride paper tickets.

Riders who have access to specialty pass programs, such as Platinum Pass, ADA Platinum Pass and school passes, will receive a new card that can be used on the new machines.

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