Pay Your Way - VIA Metropolitan Transit

New fareboxes are coming soon with more convenient options so you can pay your way. Customers will be able to pay on the bus using a contactless credit card, mobile wallet, goCard, goCard lite, the goMobile+ app or cash.

Benefits of the New System

New, modern fareboxes will replace older ones to speed up boardings, provide more options for customers and reduce delays.

Credit Cards

You will now be able to use a contactless credit/debit card right on the bus. Same fare, no added fees. Just tap and go. VIA will accept contactless Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. American Express will not be accepted.

Change Receipts

If you pay cash for a single ride or Day Pass on the bus and overpay by more than $1, a change receipt will printed from the farebox. You can bring that receipt to a Customer Service Center within a year for a credit on a goCard lite.

Mobile Wallet

Use your Apple, Google or Samsung mobile wallet when boarding and inform the operator if you qualify for a discount, otherwise a full fare will be charged. Day Passes can not be purchased on the bus using a credit card or mobile wallet.

goMobile & goCard

Many customers pay for rides with the goMobile+ app, the Transit app, or a goCard. Those options are still available without any changes. So, whatever your preference, if it’s in your wallet, we likely accept it.

Transfer & Day Passes

If you are paying your fare on the bus and would like either a Day Pass or free 2.5-hour transfer, you will be given a paper ticket with a unique barcode. That barcode can then be scanned as payment on your next bus.

Same Low Fares

VIA’s same great discounts will be available with this upgraded system. Before tapping or scanning your form of payment, please let the operator know if you qualify for a discount and show your VIA Reduced Fare ID.

VIA Link and VIAtrans will not be transitioned to this new system at this time.

Using the New GenFare Box

Tap here for credit/debit card, mobile wallet, Apple watch, and goCard lite.

Scan transfers and Day Passes here.

Transfers, Day Passes and change receipts dispensed here.

Bills and Coins inserted here.

New goCard lite
replaces e-fare card

We are replacing the pre-loaded magnetic stripe e-fare cards with upgraded pre-loaded goCard lite smartcards. Instead of dipping an e-fare card to activate it, you will tap the goCard lite on the new farebox. The value remaining on the card, or the expiration will be displayed on the farebox screen. The goCard lite cards are not reloadable.

Beginning in the Fall 2024, customers will be able to purchase goCard lite passes — preloaded with a 31-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass or Day Pass — at many local retailers, including most H-E-B stores. The term starts the first time they are tapped on the bus.

You can check the remaining value or pass expiration on the goCard lite portal.

Your goCard
works the same

The VIA goCard will work just the same as before – simply tap your goCard on the reader when boarding. The goCard lets customers add value and passes to their card instead of carrying cash. It’s just one of the many innovative options VIA offers to pay when boarding. Learn more on VIA’s goCard page.