Fares & Passes

Which pass is right for you?

  • Day Pass
  • 30-Day Rolling Pass
  • Regional Stored Value Cards
  • Tap&Save – Transit app with EZFare. Learn more about Tap&Save.
  • One-ride ticket in the Transit app with EZFare.

What is Tap&Save

Metro’s 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 with EZFare, tap when you board, and ride. Our system tracks your spending and automatically caps your fare at the lowest possible price.

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 board 
2. EZFare Smart Card

*Effective 8/12/25: Due to unexpected technical issues, we have temporarily paused sales of EZfare smart cards. We’re working to resolve the problem and will provide updates as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

  • Purchase a smart card for $5 at Metro’s sales office.
  • Load funds with cash or credit card
  • Tap your card when boarding 
  • Smart Cards are available for $5 from the Metro sales office. The Smart Card is reloadable online and at select retailers.

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.

One-Ride Tickets

One-ride tickets are back in the Transit app. Riders can still use Tap&Save (QR Code) to preload funds and pay as you go. Fare capping is only available through Tap&Save and does not apply to one-ride tickets.

Are one-ride tickets available in the Transit app?

Yes. One-ride tickets are now available again in the Transit app. This will allow riders to once again purchase tickets for multiple riders and scan them back-to-back.

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What types of one-ride tickets are available?

Local one-rides.

Express one-rides.

MetroNow! one-rides.

Access one-rides.

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Can you transfer with one-ride tickets?

  • A Metro Local one-ride includes a transfer valid for two additional rides within 120 minutes, but is not valid on Metro Express routes.
  • A Metro Express one-ride includes a transfer valid for two additional rides within 120 minutes AND is valid on both Metro Express and Metro Local routes.
  • A MetroNow one-ride ticket is only valid on MetroNow! and does not include a transfer.
  • An Access paratransit one-ride ticket is only valid on Access paratransit and does not include a transfer.oNow! one-rides.

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Are Day Passes and 30-Day Passes available in the Transit app?

No. Day passes and 30-day passes are not available for digital purchase in the Transit app. Riders can choose between one-ride tickets or Tap&Save to pay for their trips.

Can I still use Tap&Save?

Yes. Tap&Save remains available for riders who prefer to preload funds and pay as they go.

Can I scan a one-ride ticket immediately after scanning my Tap&Save QR code?

Yes. Riders may scan a Tap&Save QR code followed by multiple one-ride tickets when boarding. Tap&Save QR codes can only be scanned once per ride.

Do one-ride tickets count toward fare capping?

No. Fare capping only applies to Tap&Save scans. One-ride tickets are excluded.

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

Passes

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.     
  • $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.  
  • 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 also available for purchase online. 

*Cash is always accepted on board; however, you must have exact change (change or refunds are not provided).

Where to buy

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:

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.

Fare Information
Passes
Metro Veterans Program (MVP)
Fare Deal Program