Smart Way Fares
For the safety of everyone aboard operators do not carry change.
If you pay over the amount of the fare, you will be a transit change card.
Transit change cards are non-refundable. This includes lost, stolen, and/or damaged transit change cards.
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 individuals with
disabilities, 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.
Monthly Passes offer the greatest savings for regular customers!
- 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 individuals with disabilities, 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
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
- - 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 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
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 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 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
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 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 Administrative Office (1108 Campbell Avenue S.E., Roanoke, VA, 24013) 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 Transportation 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.
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 the 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
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).