Fares

For the safety of everyone aboard, operators do not carry change.

If you pay over the amount of the fare, you will be issued a transit change card.

Transit change cards are non-refundable. This includes lost, stolen, and/or damaged transit change cards.

Cash Fare:

  • Basic - $1.75
  • Discount - $0.85 for Medicare card holders, persons age 65 or older and/or individuals with disabilities, with proper discount fare eligibility identification( Valley Metro Photo ID).

    You may apply in person at our administrative office for our discount photo I.D. card.
    **See instructions below on how to obtain a Valley Metro discount photo I.D.

    • Student Fares

  • Children ages ten and younger, are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult passenger and limited to 4 children per paying adult.

    Middle and high school students will be charged $0.85 each way with proper ID such as a school issued ID or Valley Metro Discount ID. Students may obtain a Valley Metro Discount ID by visiting the Customer Service Center (307 Salem Ave, S.W.) and by providing one of the following:

    • Current school-issued ID
    • Class Schedule
    • Enrollment form or report card (on school letterhead)

    A Valley Metro Discount ID costs $5.00

Transfers:

FREE - When more than one bus is required to complete your trip, you can transfer onto the second bus for free. Simply ask your operator for a transfer as you board the first bus and pay your fare! The time of that transfer pass expires 30 minutes after your bus reaches its final destination.

Passes:

Weekly and Monthly Passes offer the greatest savings for regular commuters! Basic and Discount Passes for our fixed routes can be purchased at our Third Street Station Transfer Center. S.T.A.R. Passes can be purchased through the mail or at Valley Metro's Customer Service Center at 307 Salem Avenue, S.W.

  • S.T.A.R. Monthly Unlimited Ride Pass - (April 1, 2019 - $112.00)

    Entitles persons certified for the STAR service to an unlimited number of rides on all regular bus routes, and to an unlimited number of S.T.A.R. trips during the issued (calendar) month.

Single Ride Tickets:

Basic Fare

$1.75

Discount Fare

$0.85

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

Basic Fare Smart Way

$4.00

Discount Fare Smart Way

$2.00

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

S.T.A.R.

$3.50

Student Fare

$0.85

V-Pass Info!

V-Pass Duration

  • - Purchase 24hr, 7-Day, 31-Day, or 15-Ride passes.
  •  
  • - Cards are active for stated period after first use; not purchase date.

V-Pass Service Options

    Purchase a V-Pass for either:
    • - Valley Metro's Fixed Route service
      • - NOT good on Smartway Bus service.
    • - The Smartway and Smartway Connector
      • - 24hr/31 Day Smartway V-Pass good for ALL Valley Metro services.
      •  
      • - 15 Ride Smartway V-Pass ONLY good on Smartway Bus service.

V-Pass Balance/Expirations

  • - All V-Passes are activated at time of first use.
  •  
  • - For 24hr/7 Day/31 Day V-Passes, your activation and expiration dates will be printed here.
  •  
  • - For 15 Ride V-Pass, your balance and usage info will be printed here.

Basic

24 Hour Pass - Basic

Pass is valid for 24 hours for unlimited rides beginning at the time of day the pass is first inserted into a farebox.

$3.50

No Transfer Required

24 Hour Pass - Basic Smart Way

Pass is valid for 24 hours for unlimited rides beginning at the time of day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. This pass can also be used on Valley Metro Fixed Routes.

$10.00

No Transfer Required

7 Day Pass - Basic

Pass is valid for seven (7) days for unlimited rides beginning on the first day the pass is inserted into a farebox

$16.00

No Transfer Required

15 Ride Pass - Basic

Pass is valid for 15 single rides beginning on the day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. Pass does not expire until 15 rides have occurred.

$20.00

Transfer Required

15 Ride Pass - Basic Smart Way

Pass is valid for 15 single rides beginning on the day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. Pass does not expire until 15 rides have occurred. Pass is not valid on Valley Metro Fixed routes.

$54.00

Transfer Required

31 Day Pass - Basic

Pass is valid for 31 Days for unlimited rides beginning on the first day the pass is first inserted into a farebox.

$56.00

No Transfer Required

31 Day Pass - Basic Smart Way

Pass is valid for 31 days for unlimited rides beginning on the first day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. This pass can also be used on Valley Metro Fixed Routes.

$120.00

No Transfer Required

Discount

24 Hour Pass - Discount

Pass is valid for 24 hours for unlimited rides beginning at the time of day the pass is first inserted into a farebox.

$1.70

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

24 Hour Pass - Discount Smart Way

Pass is valid for 24 hours for unlimited rides beginning at the time of day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. This pass can also be used on Valley Metro Fixed Routes.

$5.00

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

7 Day Pass - Discount

Pass is valid for seven (7) days for unlimited rides beginning on the first day the pass is inserted into a farebox

$8.00

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

15 Ride Pass - Discount

Pass is valid for 15 single rides beginning on the day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. Pass does not expire until 15 rides have occurred.

$10.00

Valley Metro Discount ID & Transfer Required

15 Ride Pass - Discount Smart Way

Pass is valid for 15 single rides beginning on the day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. Pass does not expire until 15 rides have occurred. Pass is not valid on Valley Metro Fixed routes.

$27.00

Valley Metro Discount ID & Transfer Required

31 Day Pass - Discount

Pass is valid for 31 Days for unlimited rides beginning on the first day the pass is first inserted into a farebox.

$28.00

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

31 Day Pass - Discount Smart Way

Pass is valid for 31 days for unlimited rides beginning on the first day the pass is first inserted into a farebox. This pass can also be used on Valley Metro Fixed Routes.

$60.00

Valley Metro Discount ID Required

How to Obtain a Valley Metro Discount Identification Card:

To obtain proper identification so as to be entitled to pay our discount fares, or use discount passes, a person must come to the Valley Metro Customer Service Center (307 Salem Avenue S.W., Roanoke, VA, 24016) during the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This person must bring with them a state issued photo identification card, and one of the items listed below:

  • For proof of disability:
    • Valid MEDICARE card
    • Easter Seal card
    • Letter from the Social Security Administration, designating the person as a recipient of S.S.I. or S.S.D.I
    • Letter from a physician stating that a person has a permanent disability

  • For proof of age:
    • In most cases a state issued photo identification card is the accepted form for proof of age 65, or older.
    • If no state issued ID is available, a MEDICARE card (with photo) can be accepted for proof of age.

The cost for a Valley Metro photo identification card is only $5.00 for the original ID, or $10.00 for a replacement.

Now In Effect: Check Acceptance Policy:

Please be advised that to use a personal check to purchase your weekly and/or monthly bus passes at our Third Street Station Transfer Center. YOU MUST HAVE A VALID & CURRENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD. All checks must include your telephone number and your driver's license number (or other state issued identification) written on the check.

You may use a driver's license, or a state, military, or government issued ID card which contains your photo. We are sorry, but we can NOT accept a Valley Metro Discount ID Card as identification for your check.

This policy has been issued by the TELECHECK Electronic Commerce Company, and must be followed by all Valley Metro employees when accepting personal checks. YOUR COOPERATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Updated - 3/20/2019

Starting March 1, 2021: Debit & Credit Card

Valley Metro will begin accepting Credit and Debit Cards for your Convenience
Minimum purchase $5.00
Cards can only be used for ticket purchases at Third Street Station Ticket Office or Administrative Office. (Cards are not accepted on buses and no tickets can be purchased on buses.)
There is a 3% Convenience Fee added to your total for the use of a Debit or Credit Card

Other payment options are cash or check
All Checks will be verified via Telechek

Updated - 2/25/2021