New fares and ways to pay!
To make riding transit more affordable to more people, the Metropolitan Council will consider several changes to fares and the fare payment system. Pending Metropolitan Council approval, these changes would take effect in late 2026:
Fare Changes:
One fare for express buses – all the time
You would pay $3 to ride an express bus at any time. Currently, express fare is $3.25 during rush hours (6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 6:30 p.m. weekdays) and $2.50 at all other times.
- $1 reduced express fare at any time. This would apply to youth, seniors (65+), limited mobility, TAP customers, and Medicare card holders. Currently, youth, seniors (65+), and Medicare card holders pay $3.25 during rush hours (6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 6:30 p.m. weekdays) and $1 at all other times.
- The price of an express 31-Day Pass will drop from $120 to $96 per month.
Youth pricing extended to age 18
Currently, youth ages 6-12 are eligible for reduced fares. With these proposed changes, reduced fares would extend to those ages 6-18, a big savings for middle- and high-school students.
Metro micro
- $4 fare for each trip at all times.
- Only TAP cards, stored value Go-To Cards, Metro Transit app tickets, and cash would be accepted.
- 7-Day and 31-Day Passes, Metropass, Student Pass, College Pass, and other non-cash passes would NOT be accepted.
- Only TAP customers would qualify for reduced fares on Metro micro. Customers with limited mobility, youth, seniors (65+) and Medicare card holders would NOT be eligible for reduced fares on Metro micro.
- Transfers: Customers can transfer from Metro micro to fixed-route service. No free transfers between micro minibuses will be permitted. Note: An upcharge may apply for transfers from fixed-route service to Metro micro.
- Metro micro trips would NOT count towards the daily/monthly fare maximum – see below.
These changes could take effect in 2027:
More ways to pay
Under the new "go-to pay" system, customers would be able to tap their debit or credit card, smartphone or wearable device (smart watch) to pay fares for buses and trains.
Ride more, save more!
Reach the daily or monthly maximum and enjoy unlimited rides for the remainder of the day/month.
- You would pay no additional fare after you pay for two trips in a day or 32 trips in a 30-day period.
- This means that…
- The most you would pay in a day is $4 on local buses/METRO lines and $6 on express buses.
- The most you would pay in a month is $64 on local buses/METRO lines.
- Reduced-fare customers would not pay more than $2 in a day or $32 a month for trips on local buses/METRO lines and express buses.
How to comment
The Metropolitan Council will consider these fare changes and improvements to Metro Transit’s fare collection system. Members of the public can comment on these specific changes through Tuesday, May 26.
There are three ways to submit comments:
1. Submit comments online using any of the following links:
2. Comment over the phone by calling 612-373-3333
3. Attend an in-person or virtual hearing
Metro Transit will hold public meetings on these proposed fare changes. The meetings will begin with a presentation of the proposed changes and followed by an open comment and question period. The presentations will begin promptly, please plan to arrive 10-minutes prior to the start of each hearing.
St. Paul
Date: Wednesday, May 6
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
5:40 p.m.: Metro Transit presentation
6 p.m.: Public comments and questions begin
Location: 90 West 4th Street, St. Paul
Otto Bremer Community Room (1st floor)
Minneapolis
Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
5:40 p.m.: Metro Transit presentation
6 p.m.: Public comments and questions begin
Location: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
S-275 RKMC Room
Virtual
Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
11:10 a.m.: Metro Transit presentation
11:30 a.m.: Public comments and questions begin
Join the event via this link
Reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act are available upon request. To request accommodations, please contact [email protected] or call 612-357-9708 at least two weeks prior to the event.
Stay informed
Sharon Ceron Espinosa, Associate Community Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]
Laura Baenen, Sr. Communications Specialist
[email protected]