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To board a Metro Bus, you must pay a fare. Several fare options are available depending on your travel needs. Free or reduced fare options are available for seniors, individuals with disabilities, Veterans and youth.
Metro Bus fares vary according to the service and type of pass. Customers can easily purchase their fare online, at ticket outlets or with the Metro Bus Smart Ride App for mobile. Purchased products are not transferable between the Smart Ride Card and the Smart Ride App. Metro Bus does not credit days due to holidays or when service does not operate for 31-Day and 7-Day Passes.
For more information about Metro Bus fares, call 320.251.7433.
FREE TRANSFERS ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE SMART RIDE CARD
Individuals paying a fare with the Smart Ride Card are automatically credited with two hours of free travel from that time. Transfers can be made anywhere on the Fixed Route system. Individuals using 1-, 7- or 31-Day Passes do not need transfers.
FIXED ROUTE FARES
When boarding a bus, have your fare ready. ADA-certified riders who use a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to travel on the Fixed Route buses are given a special ID card to show the Bus Operator. This card allows the PCA to ride for free. Please call 320.252.1010 to request an ID for your PCA.
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Stored Value
Money added to your Smart Ride Card to pay fares for any Metro Bus service. Add Stored Value to your registered Smart Ride Card online or at the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at the Metro Bus Transit Center.
Preloaded $25 Smart Ride Cards are available at select ticket outlets.
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1.25
Single Ride Cash Fare
The Metro Bus farebox accepts coins (except half-dollar coins) as well as $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. Please use exact change. Fareboxes are not able to issue credit or change. Transfers not available when using cash.
10.50
Fixed Route 10-Ride Pass
The Fixed Route 10-Ride Pass is available on the Smart Ride Card and is good for 10 rides on the Metro Bus Fixed Route system. A 10-Ride Pass does not have an expiration date. Easily track how many rides have been used by registering your Smart Ride Card online. Fixed Route 10-Ride Passes are available online, at the Transit Center and at select ticket outlets.
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4.25
1-Day Pass
The 1-Day Pass is available on the Smart Ride Ticket and is good on any Metro Bus Fixed Route for unlimited rides the day you first use the pass. 1-Day Passes may be purchased and used at any time. They do not expire until the end of day they are used. 1-Day passes may be purchased at the Transit Center or on the Metro Bus Smart Ride App.
VIEW ROUTES
17.00
7-Day Pass
The 7-Day Pass is available on the Smart Ride Card and the Smart Ride App and is good for unlimited rides for 7 consecutive days on Metro Bus Fixed Routes, starting with the first day you use the pass. 7-Day Passes may be purchased and used at any time. 7-Day Passes are available online, at the Transit Center, at select ticket outlets and on the Smart Ride App.
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47.00
Fixed Route 31-Day Pass
The Fixed Route 31-Day Pass is available on the Smart Ride Card and the Smart Ride App and is good for unlimited rides for 31 consecutive days on any Metro Bus Fixed Route, starting with the first day you use the pass. 31-Day Passes may be purchased and used at any time. Fixed Route 31-Day Passes are available online, at the Transit Center, at select ticket outlets and on the Smart Ride App.
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U-GO FREE SUMMER
YOUTH PROGRAM
CHILDREN AGES 17 & YOUNGER
The U-Go Free Summer Youth Program gives kids the freedom to go where they want with free rides for youth ages 17 and younger with the proper ID.
LEARN MORE
SERVICE CONNECTED VETERANS RIDE FREE
Service connected veterans ride Fixed Route transit services in Minnesota for free with the proper Veteran’s Identification Card showing the words “Service Connected” or “SC” under the photo. A personal care attendant (PCA) accompanying the Veteran may also ride for free as long as the Veteran tells the Operator the person is their PCA.
U-PASS RIDE PROGRAM
Current St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College students can ride any Metro Bus route year-round by swiping their valid campus ID through the farebox.
LEARN MORE
When boarding a bus, have your fare ready.
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
2.50
Single Ride Cash Fare
The Metro Bus farebox will accept coins (except half-dollar coins) as well as $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. Please use exact change. Fareboxes are not able to issue credit or change.
DIAL-A-RIDE INFORMATION
75.00
Dial-a-Ride 31-Day Pass
The Dial-a-Ride 31-Day Pass is available on the Smart Ride App for mobile and the Smart Ride Card and is good for unlimited rides for 31 consecutive days on any Dial-a-Ride and Fixed Route, starting with the first day you use the pass. 31-Day Passes may be purchased and used at any time. Dial-a-Ride 31-Day Passes are available online, at the Transit Center, at select ticket outlets and on the Smart Ride App.
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Metro Bus offers a reduced fare on any Metro Bus Fixed Route during off-peak times for individuals with disabilities and seniors age 65 and older.
To pay the reduced fare, individuals must show proof of qualification such as a photo ID with date of birth, Metro Bus Freedom Card*, Medicare Card, Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride ID or other appropriate ID.
OFF-PEAK TIMES
MON-FRI 8:40 AM – 3:40 PM & 5:40 – 10:43 PM
SAT & SUN All day
* The Metro Bus Freedom Card is available to individuals with a disability that prevents them from driving, who are 65 or older, or who are certified to use Dial-a-Ride.
HOW TO RECEIVE A METRO BUS FREEDOM CARD
Bring the following to the Metro Bus Mobility Training Center
- A Reduced Fare Form to be filled out by licensed professional (form available at Mobility Training Center and online).
Bring the following to the Metro Bus Transit Center
- Driver’s license indicating limited mobility
- Proof of being over the age of 65
- Medicare Card
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
0.60
Reduced Cash Fare
The Metro Bus farebox accepts coins as well as $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. Please use exact change. Fareboxes are not able to issue credit or change. To pay the reduced fare individuals must show proof of qualification. Transfers not available when using cash.
Free
Children 5 and Under
Up to three children five and under ride free with a paid fare on any Metro Bus.
DOWNLOAD OUR FARES INFORMATION
Metro Bus Smart Ride Cards offer Stored Value for regular fares, Fixed Route 10-Ride Passes and Frequent Rider Passes. Smart Ride Cards can be purchased for $3 at the Transit Center, online or at ticket outlets. You can load funds to any Smart Ride Card at the Transit Center, online or through the Metro Bus Smart Ride App on your mobile device. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
The Metro Bus Smart Ride App and the Smart Ride Card are not synced. Purchased products are not transferrable between them.
On the Bus
Customers can pay fares directly at the farebox with cash. Please use the exact change. Fareboxes are not able to issue credit or change. Transfers not available when using cash.
Online
Purchase fares online at smartridecard.com. Shipping and handling fees apply and customers can expect to receive their Smart Ride Card in five to seven days.
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Mobile Ticketing
Download our Smart Ride App on your mobile device. The Smart Ride App can be used to purchase Fixed Route 1-, 7- and 31-Day Passes and Dial-a-ride 31-day Passes.
Ticket outlets
Purchase fares at the Metro Bus Transit Center at the ticket window or the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) as well as select partner outlets throughout our service area.
- Coborn’s on Cooper, St. Cloud
- Pinecone Coborn’s, Sartell
- Sauk Rapids Coborn’s
- Cash Wise East, St. Cloud
- Waite Park Cash Wise
Pre-loaded Smart Ride Cards with $25 of Stored Value
- Lunds & Byerlys
- Coborn’s Grocery Store, Sartell-Riverside
Pre-loaded Smart Ride Cards with Fixed Route 31-Day Passes
Register an Existing Card
Select “Register an Existing Card” from the My Cards menu.
Enter your card number
Enter the 10-digit card number and CVV number as they appear on the back of your card.
Registered customers can, check your Card’s balance, add value, view transaction history or enroll in Autobuy to automatically replenish your card’s value.
Your Smart Ride Card must be registered to transfer your Stored Value, Frequent Rider Passes or 10-Ride Passes if damaged, lost or stolen. The value on cards cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash. Cards reported lost or stolen are disabled and cannot be reactivated.
SMARTER FAREBOXES
Pay fares conveniently and cash-free with Metro Bus Smart Ride Cards, the Metro Bus Smart Ride App for mobile phones and Smart Ride Tickets.
Easily pay for your Metro Bus fares on the go as well as at home using our online purchasing option or the free Metro Bus Smart Ride App. Purchased passes stored on your mobile phone can be activated when ready to ride. The Stored Value option allows you to load any amount of money you choose on your Smart Ride Card and fares are automatically deducted each time you ride.
HOW TO PAY YOUR METRO BUS FARE
Learn how to pay your Metro Bus fare with this step-by-step video.