How to Buy
We have a few ways to purchase valid fare before you ride CapMetro. Explore the available ways to pay and find the method that works best for you!
Tap to Pay on Bus
Pay with a contactless credit or debit card, or a payment-enabled phone or watch. No app needed.
- Daily fare capping included. Tap to Pay riders will never pay more than $2.50 per day for standard fare. Once the daily cap is reached, remaining rides that day are free. Monthly fare capping is not available with Tap to Pay.
- Tap to Pay is not available on other CapMetro services such as Rail or Access.
- How to use: Tap your card or contactless payment device on the scanner where the icon is displayed. A green screen and beep confirm successful payment. Use the same card each time to receive fare capping. Each rider must use a separate contactless payment method.
Download the Umo app for digital payments
To take advantage of daily and monthly fare capping, customers must use their wallet balance.Reload on your phone, at the Transit store or at one of our participating retailers.
- Download Umo and create your account. Read instructions on setting up the app here.
- Load your wallet with debit card, credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
To Use: Simply scan the QR code on your phone on the scanner while boarding. Daily and monthly fare capping is automatic!
NOTE: You cannot use both the reloadable fare card and Umo app. You must choose one.
Get a CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card
Use the Reloadable Fare Card onboard Bus and Rail.
Get a CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card at the Transit store. You can also purchase a card at select HEB locations. Load money to your card at umopass.com or add cash to your cardat participating retail locations.
To Use: Simply tap your card at our scanners - contactless payment is safer and can get you on the bus faster.
NOTE: You cannot use both the reloadable fare card and Umo app. You must choose one.
Cash & Paper Passes
Local and Commuter (Single Ride and 1-Day) paper passes are still available for purchase while boarding or at the Transit Store (1705 Guadalupe St.
Buy Single Ride, paper day passes, or Commuter Rail tickets at a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Republic Square, East Side Bus Plaza or any CapMetro Rail station. TVM's accept cash only.
You can buy a Local single ride ticket or a paper day pass with exact change at the farebox at the front of the bus. The pass will print out from the top of the farebox with the date, time you boarded and expiration time.
To Use: Insert your paper pass or exact change at the farebox on buses. Show your pass to a Rail conductor.
Participating Employer/ School Pass Program
If you work for a participating employer or are part of a School Pass program, here's how to use your pass:
- Swipe your UT ID on the farebox.
- If asked, show your employee or school ID card to the bus operator.
Pickup and Access Fare
Pickup: Pay on the vehicle with cash or use the Pickup app or Umo app. To validate your fare, show the app code to the vehicle operator.
Access: Access customers can ride Bus and Rail services at the reduced rate and they can setup autopay through the Access App or Website. H-E-B and the Transit Store sell 10-ride booklets for Access rides. Access monthly passes can be purchased at the Transit Store, the online marketplace or the Umo app. Get full details on paying for Access rides here.
To Use: To use and receive reduced fares on bus or rail, tap your Access ID card on the farebox, then pay your fare with cash or swipe your paper pass when you board the vehicle. Access monthly passes* are valid for use on all CapMetro bus and train services at no additional cost. Customers pay a separate fare for our Access shared-ride paratransit service.
Get full details on paying for Access rides
*Monthly Access passes are only available for purchase at the Transit Store, the online marketplace or the Umo app
UT Rides FREE!
Good news, Longhorns! UT students, faculty and staff members ride our buses and trains for free through an agreement with the university. All you need is a valid UT ID.
To Use:
- Swipe your UT ID at the validator.
- The farebox will alert you and the bus operator if your card can't be read.
- If your ID card is rejected, you'll need to pay the full fare.
Note: Any issues with the UT ID card must be addressed with the University of Texas Flawn Academic Center (FAC) ID office on campus.
Fare Enforcement
Pay the fare or you could face a fine - CapMetro routinely checks passes to ensure fairness for everyone who rides our bus and rail system. Riders without a valid fare will receive a $75 administrative fine from a fare enforcement officer, payable to CapMetro.
Failure to pay within 30 days could result in a Class “C” misdemeanor Municipal Court fine up to $500. If you ride without a valid fare you will be required to purchase a fare, exit the service, or will be issued a citation.
Get A Ticket?
Handle your citation within 30 days to avoid additional municipal court fines, costing up to $500.
Pay online at: citation payment page.
Pay by mail:Send a $75 money order or cashier's check to:
CapMetro
Attn: Finance-Fare Evasion
P.O. Box 6308
Austin, TX 78762-6308
Note: Please make the money order or cashier's check payable to CapMetro and include the citation number.