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How to pay your fare

Your guide to the new Capital Metro fareboxes and magnetic farecards.

Day Pass

Request a Day Pass from the bus operator BEFORE YOU INSERT YOUR MONEY.
  • The day pass will print and issue from the top of the farebox (fig.1) with date and time you boarded and the expiration time.
  • Use the Day Pass on your connecting bus or on your return trip by swiping it through the card reader (fig. 2). The farebox will alert you and the bus operator if the card has expired.
  • Day Passes are valid for unlimited rides for up to twenty-four hours.
image of barebox to insert pass

Half-Price cards

$10 worth of rides for $5.
  • Insert card into the top of farebox (fig.1).
  • The unit will deduct the value of your fare and print your current balance on the back of the card.
  • You always know how much value remains.
image of barebox to swipe pass

Monthly passes

Unlimited rides - one low price.
  • Swipe the pass with magnetic stripe down, facing you (fig. 2).
  • The farebox will accept the pass or alert you and the bus operator if the pass has expired.
  • Passes are still good for unlimited rides for a full calendar month.

University of Texas

Students, faculty and staff ride free with current ID.
  • Swipe ID with magnetic stripe down, facing you (fig. 2).
  • The farebox will accept the ID or alert you and the bus operator if ID has no magnetic stripe.
  • Use ID as a "Flash" pass on UT shuttle routes.

City of Austin Employees

City of Austin employees ride free with current ID. Show your ID to the operator as you board the bus.

Cash fares

Still $.50 on most routes.
  • Insert coins or bills one at a time.
  • Exact change required. Bus operator cannot give change.
  • Transfers will no longer be issued on Capital Metro buses after May 1, 2005. If you need to transfer to another bus, a Day Pass may be the way to go!

Flash passes

Show passes listed below to bus operator as you board:
  • Senior ID
  • Mobility-Impaired card
  • Family ID
  • Medicare card
  • City of Austin employees


line seperatorCapital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200 | (800) 474-1201