Fares | Smart Way Bus

For the safety of everyone aboard, operators do not carry change. Therefore, cash fares require exact change.

Cash Fare:

Basic - $4.00
Discount half fare - $2.00 A Valley Metro Discount Fare Photo ID will entitle S.S.I. Recipients, Medicare cardholders, people age 65 or older, and/or disabled persons, to a discounted fare. You must present the Valley Metro Photo ID to the bus driver to receive the discounted fare. *See instructions below on how to obtain a Valley Metro discount photo I.D.
Children – FREE Age five and younger, when accompanied by a paying adult passenger. (Limit of four children per paying adult).

Worried about having exact change?

You may pre-order individual four dollar passes! Just mail a check to the address below, and we’ll send you a single ride ticket good for one ride on the Smart Way Bus.

Passes

Monthly Passes offer the greatest savings for regular customers!

Basic Monthly Unlimited Ride Pass - $120 Entitles pass holder to an unlimited number of rides during the issued calendar month. This includes all Smart Way Routes and automatically allows you to ride Valley Metro fixed route service in Roanoke, Salem & Vinton at no additional charge.

Discount Monthly Unlimited Ride Pass - $60.00 . A Valley Metro Discount Fare Photo ID will entitle S.S.I. Recipients, Medicare cardholders, people age 65 or older, and/or disabled persons, to unlimited number of rides on all routes during the issued calendar month.You must present the Valley Metro Photo ID to the bus driver to receive the discounted fare. See instructions below for receiving the Valley Metro Photo ID.

Passes/Tickets by Mail:

Valley Metro
Attn: The Smart Way Bus
PO Box 13247
Roanoke, VA 24032-3247

Now In Effect: Check Acceptance Policy:

Please be advised when using a personal check to purchase bus passes all checks must include your telephone number and your driver's license number (or other state issued identification) written on the check. Failure to submit this information may cause your check to be returned to you.

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.

*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 Administrative Office (1108 Campbell Ave, S.E., Roanoke VA 24013) during the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, 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 or
Easter Seal card or
Letter from the Social Security Administration, designating the person as a recipient of S.S.I. or S.S.D.I. or
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
Or, 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.

Transfers:

FREE - Transferring to a Valley Metro Bus Route

Free transfers are available for passengers who need to take Valley Metro regular routes to reach their destination. Ask the operator for your free transfer when you pay your fare. The transfer is a punch card, good for two (2) free rides on any Valley Metro bus (for that date only).

Is there bus service on Sunday?

Answer: OUR BUS SERVICE DOES NOT OPERATE ON SUNDAY, however, if you take THE SMART WAY BUS to the Roanoke Regional Airport, and you will be returning to this airport on a Sunday, be sure to ask your driver for an “Airport Transfer.” The driver will ask you your date of return, and mark it on this transfer. Save this transfer until your Sunday return. There are two shuttle options available to you, provided by Roanoke Airport Transportation Services. You must report to their desk, which is right outside of the baggage claim area. The times for their two shuttles are at 2:30 PM and then again at 6:30 PM. This shuttle is operated by Roanoke Airport Transportation Services, and you must arrange this transportation through their staff at their desk. They will honor your Airport Transfer, and return you to your point of departure…and will only charge you FOUR DOLLARS, just as if you were taking the Smart Way Bus! Valley Metro will pick up the balance of your tab! This is our way of offering limited Sunday service for the convenience of our riders.