Fares & Passes
**Notice: New Fares Take Effect July 16, 2025 | New children ride free policy, modest fare increase, and Tap&Save program among changes. Learn more.
Which pass is right for you?
- Day Pass
- 30-Day Rolling Pass
- Regional Stored Value Cards
- Tap&Save – Transit app with EZFare or Smart Card     Â
What is Tap&Save
Starting July 16, 2025, Metro’s new Tap&Save program makes paying for your ride easier—and more affordable. No more guessing which pass to buy.
Just load funds onto your Transit app or EZfare smart card, tap when you board, and ride. Our system tracks your spending and automatically caps your fare at the lowest possible price.
Mobile tickets will no longer be sold in the app. Riders will now need to load funds to their account, scan their code on the validator, and the correct fare amount will be automatically deducted
Pay as you go: Load money onto your EZfare account and tap to board—no need to buy day or monthly passes in advance.
Daily and monthly fare capping:
Local routes cap at $4.40/day or $88/month
Express routes cap at $6.00/day or $120/month
Metro/TANK routes cap at $5.00/day or $105/month
Once you reach the cap, additional rides are free for the rest of that period.
Two Easy Ways to Tap&Save
1. Transit App (with EZfare)
- Download the Transit app
- Create an EZfare account in the app settings
- Load funds to your wallet
- Tap your QR code on the validator when you boardÂ
2. EZFare Smart Card
- Purchase a smart card for $5 at Metro’s sales office.
- Load funds with cash or credit card
- Tap your card when boardingÂ
- Smart Cards are available for $5 from the Metro sales office. The Smart Card is reloadable online and at select retailers. Smart cards go on sale July 16, 2025.
Still Prefer Passes or Cash?
- Paper passes are still available online and at Metro’s sales office.
- Cash is still accepted on board.
With Tap&Save, you earn passes as you ride—no pre-planning needed. It’s the easiest way to ride smarter, save more, and get where you need to go.
Metro Pass Policy
- Passes are not transferable and may not be used by anyone other than the person who bought the pass.
- No refunds or exchanges will be given.
- Metro not responsible for lost/stolen/damaged passes.
- Misuse of your pass may result in confiscation.
Any pass bought from a non-authorized individual or reseller may not be valid. Purchase at your own risk
Cincinnati Municipal Code Sec. 406-75 and 406-77
Day Pass
Perfect for visitors, occasional riders, and anyone who plans to ride often throughout the day without worrying about exact change.
- $4.40 for L:ocal routes, good for unlimited rides for 24 hours from the time of activation. No transfers needed.
- $6.00 for Express routes, good for unlimited rides for 24 hours from the time of activation. No transfers needed. Â Â Â Â
- $5.00 for Metro/TANK day passes, good for unlimited rides for 24 hours from the time of activation on Metro and TANKJ buses. Available for purchase onboard the bus.
Important day pass reminders:
- To buy on the bus, tell the operator BEFORE paying your fare or using a stored-value card.
- You may buy a day pass on any route.
- You may pre-purchase day passes from the sales office to use later. The end date is not set until the pass is activated on the bus by inserting it into the slot on top of the farebox.
- Once activated, swipe it every time you ride (just like a 30-day rolling pass).
- Day passes are not accepted on Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK).
30-Day Rolling Passes
Metro’s 30-day rolling passes provide you with unlimited rides for 30 days. This pass gives you the flexibility to set your own start date. 30-day rolling pass holders are eligible for Metro’s Guaranteed Ride Home program.
- Local Routes – $88
- Express Routes – $120: Express routes are designated with an X. Â
- Metro/TANK – $105: travel within Hamilton County and all local TANK service.
Here’s how a 30-day rolling pass works:
The first time you use your 30-day rolling pass, insert it in the slot on top of the farebox. The farebox will print that day’s date as the start date and the end date 30 days later.
After that first use, you can swipe your 30-day rolling pass through the card reader the same way you currently do and enjoy your ride.
Passes are available at retail outlets and online.
*Cash is always accepted on board; however, you must have exact change (change or refunds are not provided).
Mercantile Center Arcade
All Passes Available Here
115 E 5th St
Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Mon. – Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
*Fourth Street entrance to the arcade is closed due to construction; be sure to use Fifth Street entrance to access the sales office.*
Ticket Vending Machines
Ticket Vending Machines allow you to purchase 30-day Rolling Passes and Stored Value Cards using cash, credit card, or stored value fare cards, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. (Please Note: Day passes are not available for purchase from Ticket Vending Machines.)
The machines are conveniently located at:
- Government Square (5th St at Walnut St)
- Clifton Heights (Calhoun St at Clifton Ave)
- Med Center (Burnet Ave at Goodman St)
- Oakley Transit Center (corner of Isben & Marburg)
- Northside Transit Center (between Blue Rock Street & Spring Grove Avenue)
Mobile Ticketing via Transit app
Transit app is Metro’s official partner for mobile fare payment, as well as trip planning and real-time tracking.