Copper Card Explained

Copper Card
Launched:Summer 2024
Sales Location 1:Online
Sales Location 2:Vending machines
Sales Location 3:Service centers
Sales Location 4:Convenience stores
Sales Location 5:Retail stores
Stored Value:Pay as you go
Automatic Recharge:Autoload replenishment
Technology 1:MIFARE DESFire smart card

The Copper Card, is a contactless smartcard fare collection system used by Valley Metro in Metro Phoenix.[1]

Proposal

In 2021, Valley Metro announced they wanted to reduce waste and were going to update their fare system, and launched a new app. In 2022, Valley Metro updated new fare readers. In 2023, Valley Metro launched mobile payment on the app. In 2024, the Copper Card will be released.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Operation

Copper cards will be available for $4 at service centers and will be available to purchase online and in-person. Full fare customers will never pay more than $4 a day, $20 in week or $64 a month with the Copper card. For reduced fare customers it will never be $2 a day, $10 in week or $32 a month with the Copper card. For Express and RAPID it will never be more than $6.50 a day or $104 a month with the Copper card.[6] [7]

The operator of the Copper Card will be Vix Technology.[8]

The designer of the card will be InComm Payments.

In March 2024, Valley Metro announced they would start accepting reduced fare applications for the Copper Card and launched the new reduced fares website.[9] [10] [11]

The Copper Card will have a one-time issuance charge of $4 and a maximum load amount of $150. The new Copper Cards will also be reloadable.[12]

Valley Metro will also add new bus fareboxes, card readers, app barcode readers, and ticket vending machines at bus and light rail stations during this time.[13] [14] [15] [16]

On 1 April 2024, ADA, Platinum, and A+ Copper Cards were activated to use on rail and buses.[17] [18] [19] [20]

On 29 July 2024, the Valley Metro app was updated with Smart Fare.[21] [22]

On 2 August 2024, Valley Metro added the option to buy Copper Cards online, the option to register and reload the card. Also, Valley Metro added the option to create or log in to an account.

Rates

The table at bottom shows the future rate structure for the Valley Metro system.[23]

Fare type1Local and Light railExpress / RAPID2Reduced fare3
1-ride$2$3.25$1
Daily$4$6.50$2
Weekly$20Not available$10
Monthly$64$104$32
Notes
  1. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are obtained by paying the 1-ride fare a specified number of times within the given timeframe (2X in a day for daily, 10X in a week for weekly, 32X in a month for monthly)[24]
  2. A local/light rail 24-hour pass can be used on an Express or RAPID route for an additional $1.25 per boarding (or $2.25 per boarding for reduced fare)
  3. Reduced fare is available to those with a disability, seniors aged 65 and older, children ages 6 to 18, and Medicare cardholders

Card variants

VariantsDesignFare typeAvailability
AdultAdult fareMost common fare card - reloadable and used by the general public. 1-day, 7-day, and 31-day limited use versions distributed by select organizations/businesses.
Reduced Reduced fareOnly available with a reduced fare account via Valley Metro. 1-day, 7-day, and 31-day limited use versions distributed by select organizations/businesses.
Platinum Unlimited travel Card for organizations and businesses that cover the cost of fare for their employees, residents, etc.
ADA Platinum Unlimited travel Provides free transit for ADA eligible and certified riders, as well as one personal care attendant.
A+ YouthCard for students that is issued by participating schools.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Valley Metro, Phoenix want riders' ideas on regional fare policy. Daily Independent. July 27, 2023. October 30, 2023. August 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230803151040/https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/valley-metro-phoenix-want-riders-ideas-on-regional-fare-policy,413438. live.
  2. News: Transit fares are becoming more mobile. Valley Metro. June 7, 2023. October 30, 2023. October 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030041436/https://www.valleymetro.org/blog/2023/06/transit-fares-are-becoming-more-mobile. live.
  3. News: Gray . Brandon . July 25, 2023 . Valley Metro asks for public feedback on new Smart Fare technology . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727103652/https://ktar.com/story/5520262/valley-metro-asks-for-public-feedback-on-new-smart-fare-technology/ . July 27, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . KTAR News.
  4. News: Worrell . Carolina . February 1, 2023 . Transit Briefs: Calif. HCD/DGS, LA Metro, Sound Transit, Valley Metro . March 10, 2024 . Railway Age.
  5. News: July 18, 2024. Here's what upgrades are in store for Phoenix-area Valley Metro systems in 2024. July 18, 2024. Arizona Republic.
  6. News: Valley Metro updates fare policy, set to launch Copper Card in 2024. TAM America. June 26, 2023. October 30, 2023. October 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030041436/https://www.tam-america.com/article/valley-metro-updates-fare-policy-set-to-launch-copper-card-in-2024. live.
  7. News: Public Transit Seeks Input on Fare System Upgrades. City of Phoenix. July 21, 2023. October 30, 2023. July 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230731230006/https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/public-transit/2816. live.
  8. News: Retail Fare Outlet. Valley Metro. March 10, 2024. March 10, 2024.
  9. News: How to Apply for Valley Metro Reduced Fare Online. Valley Metro. March 10, 2024. March 10, 2024. March 10, 2024. https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/reduced-fare-program/how-to-apply-for-valley-metro-reduced-fare-onlinet. live.
  10. News: Sign Up for Reduced Fare. Valley Metro. March 10, 2024. March 10, 2024.
  11. News: Reduced Fare Program. Valley Metro. March 10, 2024. March 10, 2024.
  12. Fare Collection System Modernization Update. 2024-03-10.
  13. News: Valley Metro installing new fare machines. Valley Metro. March 30, 2024. March 30, 2024.
  14. News: Pardon our progress. Valley Metro. March 30, 2024. March 30, 2024.
  15. News: Veenstra . David . March 30, 2024 . New Valley Metro light rail fare machines beginning to be installed Monday . March 30, 2024 . KTAR News.
  16. News: The Valley Metro Fare System is Getting an Upgrade!. Valley Metro. April 3, 2024. April 3, 2024.
  17. News: Wilson . Steve . April 30, 2024 . Phoenix Embraces Digital Transitions, Valley Metro Introduces App and Card Fare System for Easier Commutes . May 1, 2024 . Hoodline.
  18. News: Valley Metro hosting town halls to inform riders about new Smart Fare system. KTAR. May 3, 2024. May 3, 2024.
  19. News: Transit Briefs: SacRT, TTC, Phoenix Valley Metro, Colorado General Assembly. Railway Age. March 20, 2024. June 3, 2024.
  20. News: June 6, 2024 . Transit Briefs: NYMTA, TriMet, Valley Metro . June 8, 2024 . Railway Age.
  21. News: Introducing Smart Fare on the Valley Metro app. Valley Metro. July 29, 2024. August 5, 2024.
  22. News: July 30, 2024 . Fare collection updates: Monterey-Salinas Transit, PRT, Valley Metro . August 5, 2024 . Mass Transit.
  23. Web site: Fares Valley Metro . May 15, 2024 . Valley Metro.
  24. Web site: Fare Technology Modernization Valley Metro . May 15, 2024 . Valley Metro.

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