valley metro plan your trip

Valley Metro 4+

Transit fares & trip planning, valley metro.

• 4.8 • 10.2K Ratings

iPhone Screenshots

Description.

The Valley Metro app is your tool for taking transit in the metro Phoenix area. Smart Fare makes taking transit even easier – load your account, scan every time you ride and the more you ride, the more you save! You’ll never pay more than the Smart Fare daily, weekly and monthly fare. Trip planning helps you get where you want to go with step-by-step navigation and real-time location for bus and light rail. Features: - Load your account and scan the QR code at the purple fare reader - View your transaction history - Set up autoload or load your account with cash at select retail locations - Plan your trip with step-by-step navigation - Locate your bus or train in real time - Save your favorite stops and routes - Get service alerts and account notifications

Version 3.0.0

- Introducing Smart Fare! Load your account and scan every time you ride. You’ll never pay more than the daily, weekly and monthly fare. - The updated home screen shows your account balance and nearby stops. - View the wallet to see your balance, Smart Fare dashboard, transaction history and more. - Use autoload to easily manage your account balance. - Load your account with cash at select retail locations. - Access the QR code from any screen. - Enable text, email and push notifications for important account updates. - Additional enhancements and bugs fixed

Ratings and Reviews

10.2K Ratings

Good app with a few flaws. The location of a bus can be refreshed manually by retapping the stop and time. This gives a more accurate location versus waiting for the gps of a bus to track by itself on a certain interval, which takes longer to happen. There should be a refresh button added for the route. Second: There is a rare bug which relocates the location of a bus to the equator, and it's already happened a few times on Scottsdale route. This does not disappear after restarting the app. It goes away by itself but it's weird that it happens and should be checked.

Inefficient morning rides

The east bound buses; Camelback, Indian School, Thomas, McDowell start at 4am-ish but the first two morning runs end at 50-something street, they make sure everyone is off the bus and then continue going eastbound EMPTY!!! How much sense does that make? You’re paying the driver, you’re running the same way, why make people get off the bus and wait for the next bus to maybe show up. I say maybe because I’ve now noticed that the McDowell bus at least once a week, the first bus that runs the full route doesn’t show up? So Valley Metro pays 8 drivers(4 EB routes at 4am and 430am) and at least one other driver that doesn’t show up once a week to not pick up passengers? How can you advertise as being good for the environment when you’re needlessly driving empty after kicking people off the bus? And supposedly just added better morning coverage? Where? How? Brain dead people running this org. And why are the smart cards only available for businesses? 8th largest municipality and we’re going to the gas station to get a bus pass when they could just make the smart cards available to everyone and reloadable from your phone. Or… most smart phones have nfc we don't even need a smart card just need to make the option to do everything through the app. Silly people.

Too Little, Too Late

Valley Metro has a history of stubbornly doing things its own way rather than following best practices in the industry. For years, it has dragged its feet about releasing real-time bus and train location data. With this app, that has finally changed, but the agency is still behind where it should be with respect to data sharing and transparency. The real-time data is helpful when it actually appears, but in my experience it is not uncommon for a “location not available” message to appear when a specific bus is selected. Even when the data is available, there are significant usability issues with this app. If a user pulls up scheduled arrivals for a specific location and then looks to see where a specific bus or train is currently situated, there is then no easy or intuitive way to return to the original list of scheduled service. Finally, I’d prefer not to have to download and install yet another app when both Google and Apple Maps already do a better job of displaying transit information. Valley Metro should focus its efforts on sharing real-time data with established third-party apps rather than creating its own product.

Developer Response ,

We understand your frustration and the delay in technology, but the reason Valley Metro created their own app was to introduce mobile fare tickets in upcoming versions. We wanted to give riders the technology we have now which includes trip planning and real-time vehicle tracking. We are looking forward to mobile fare in the next year and creating even more enhancements for our riders. You can also access our open data feed by visiting https://phoenixopendata.com/.

App Privacy

The developer, Valley Metro , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Spanish

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Get all of your passes, tickets, cards, and more in one place.

You might also like.

Arizona Mobile ID

Zen Shuttles

Zark Parking

Visit Phoenix

Boaz Bikes USA

Copyright © 2024 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Planning Your Bus Trip in the Valley of the Sun

Valley Metro  provides bus transportation in the Greater Phoenix area.

Under the Valley Metro brand, local governments joined to fund the Valley-wide transit system that the public sees on the streets today.

Click here  to learn more about Valley Metro and its history.

Riding the Bus 101

Planning Your Trip Taking public transit can be intimidating if you’ve never used it before. Valley Metro offers a number of online resources to help you plan your trip and feel prepared.

Plan your trip using the  Valley Metro Trip Planner . While on the trip planner webpage, you can also use the  Valley Metro system map  to get the lay of the land and view the most current route  schedules and maps . Be sure to understand the route schedules for each leg of your trip and the hours of operation for all modes of public transit you plan to take.

Are you an app person? Check out  Valley Metro’s list of online tools . They’re easy to download and use with your smart device. Not an app person? You can download the most current  transit book  online.

Paying Your Fare Valley Metro Rail, Valley Metro LINK and local buses share the same fare structure. Check out the Valley Metro website for more details on all of the  fare options .

Bus Fares may be purchased four different ways – click on each option to get details on how to purchase your transit pass.

Retail Fare Sales Locations  – throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area

At  Fare Vending Machines   –  located at each light rail station and select  LINK stations

On the Bus – Save Time and Money by  Purchasing your Pass Before Boarding the Bus!

Getting on Board

How to Ride the Bus Once you’ve planned your trip and purchased your transit pass, there are some items to note when you get on board.

• Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart. Be visible, stay in the safe zone (away from the curb), and have your fare ready.
• If you have a bike – All Valley Metro buses are equipped with bike racks, which are available on a first come, first-served basis. If the rack is full, you will need to wait until the next bus. See all the tips for bringing a bike with you when you ride the bus (link bringing a bike with you on the bus to http://www.valleymetro.org/getting_on_board/bikes_bus) on the Valley Metro website.
• Let others exit before boarding. Pay your fare and find a seat. If not seat is available, simply stand behind the yellow line near the front of the bus.
• Major streets and stops are announced and visually displayed. Watch or listen for your stop. About a block before your destination, pull the cord or press the strip near the window to signal the operator.
• Exit through the back door.

Want More Information? You can find information on  Valley Metro policies for riding the bus ,  transit centers ,  park-and-rides ,  accessibility  and safety  on the Valley Metro website.

You can also visit  Valley Metro’s FAQ page  for a list of questions frequently asked by riders or contact their  customer service representatives  directly.

Looking for a List of Local Destinations? Check out a list of  local destinations  you can get to with public transit. Plan your adventure today!

Airport Connections Using public transit to connect to  Sky Harbor International Airport?

Connect to Sky Harbor International Airport via PHX Sky Train® at the 44th St/Washington light rail station or with Valley Metro bus routes 1 and 44.

The PHX Sky Train® is a free service connecting travelers from the 44th St/Washington light rail station to all terminals and East Economy parking. Learn about Sky Train by  clicking here .

Keep in Touch

Keep in Touch Want to hear the latest from Friends of Transit? Give us your email address.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Public Transportation Services

To Valley View Mall

From 3rd Street Station

To Valley Court

To Roanoke Regional Airport

To Blue Hills

To Southeast Roanoke

To 3rd Street Station

From Southeast Roanoke

To Tanglewood Mall

From Tanglewood Mall

To Brambleton & Red Rock

From Red Rock

To Carlton & Grandin

From Carlton & Grandin

To Lewis Gale Hospital

From Lewis Gale Hospital

To Veterans Hospital

From Veterans Hospital

To Goodwill Salem

From Goodwill Salem

To Peters Creek Road

From Peters Creek Road

• Valley Metro Route Schedule
• Valley Metro System Map
• Valley Metro SNOW ROUTES

Do you need help with how to read our maps? Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Go to our General Route Info page for help on figuring out the schedules. Also, check our Riding the Bus page for general information.

Do you need help with bus schedules? When you have a few minutes (between 6AM and 8PM - Monday through Saturday) give Valley Metro a call at 540-982-2222! Tell us where your trip begins, and let one of our fine information officers advise you as to what time to be on your closest bus stop! They can also advise you on what time to be back on the bus stop for your trip home!

There is no service on Sundays or on the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• There is no Peak Service on MLK Jr. Day and President's Day

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Guide
• Neighborhoods to Know
• Public Transportation
• 48-Hour Itinerary
• Day Trips From Phoenix
• Skiing Near Phoenix
• Top Things to Do
• Free Things to Do
• Things to Do With Kids
• Top Museums
• Shopping in Phoenix
• Food to Try
• Best Restaurants
• Top Breweries
• Nightlife Guide
• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Destinations
• United States

Getting Around Phoenix: Guide to Public Transportation

Because the Phoenix metropolitan area totals approximately 14,600 square miles, public transportation isn't the easiest or most popular way to navigate the Valley. Most locals rely on cars, but as routes have expanded, public transportation has become a more viable option for many, including visitors. Here's what you should know about Valley Metro , the regional transit system in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

How to Ride the Valley Metro Rail

The 26-mile Valley Metro Rail, referred to simply as "the light rail" by locals, connects downtown Phoenix to Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by way of the PHX Sky Train , which can be picked up at the 44th Street/Washington Street station. There are plans to expand light rail service into South Central Phoenix, West Phoenix, and further north.

From end to end, there are currently 38 stations . Eleven are park-and-ride stations, offering a combined 4,500 parking spaces. You can use Valley Metro's trip planner to find the best route to your destination using light rail and busses.

• Fares : Single-ride tickets cost $2; an all-day pass is $4. Passes for seven days ($20), 15 days ($33), and 31 days ($64) are also available. Certain groups can get a discount —including seniors ages 65 and older, students, Medicare cardholders, and the disabled—children five and under ride for free with an adult. Passengers must have proof of eligibility to qualify for reduced fares. Read this article for detailed information on how to purchase tickets.
• Routes and Hours: Valley light rail runs seven days a week. During peak hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the light rail trains depart every 12 minutes; the rest of the time, trains depart every 20 minutes. Trains start running at 5:00 a.m. The last full trip of the day on Monday through Thursday begins at 11 p.m., while on Friday and Saturday nights (Saturday and Sunday mornings), the last full trip begins at 2 a.m.
• Service Alerts: You can learn about delays on all Valley Metro options, including light rail and buses, on its website under the rider alerts tab. To find out when the next train or bus will arrive, call (602) 253-5000, say "next ride," and then say or type the STOP# of the light rail station or bus stop. You can also text 22966 and enter the STOP# for a text indicating when the train or bus will arrive. (Standard text rates apply.)
• Transfers: A one-ride ticket allows you just that: one ride. If you purchase a single-ride ticket for the light rail ($2), you will have to purchase another single-ride ticket to ride the bus ($2). If you plan to transfer, purchase a $4 all-day pass. With an all-day or multi-day pass, you can transfer between the bus and light rail as many times as you want before the pass expires at 2:59 a.m. the following morning.
• Accessibility: Valley Metro's light rail trains and platforms, as well as buses, are all accessible. Platforms at the light rail stations have inclined walkways with railings, fare machines that meet ADA requirements, and announcements are made both audibly and visually. Inside the train, designated seating is available, and trained service animals are welcome. For more information about accessibility or to make reasonable modification requests, visit the Valley Metro website .

Riding the Valley Metro Bus System

In addition to the light rail system, Valley Metro operates the local, express, and RAPID bus services and rural and neighborhood circulars. This regional transit system covers 513 square miles. If you stay in downtown Phoenix or on main roads in Tempe and Scottsdale, it can be a budget-friendly way, along with the light rail and rideshare options, to explore the Valley without renting a car.

• Fares: Rates are the same for the local buses as they are for light rail ($2 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass). Express and RAPID buses are $3.25 per ride or $6.50 for an all-day pass. Rural routes are $2 one way (same city) or $4 one way (multi-cities). Most neighborhood circulars are free except for the Avondale ZOOM, which is 50 cents per ride . The same discounts for light rail apply to the bus system.
• Routes and Hours: Most local bus routes run from 5 a.m. until midnight. You can find timetables for all buses (plus the light rail) here . Click on the transportation mode you plan to take (local bus), click on the route, and click on the stop to see scheduled arrival times. The Valley Metro trip planner can help you determine which bus you need to take to your destination.
• Service Alerts: Just as you would for the light rail, check Valley Metro's website for rider alerts or call or text (602) 253-5000. See above for more contact information.
• Transfers: The all-day pass for $4 offers unlimited transfers between local buses and light rail. A one-way ticket ($2) is good for one ride on one bus.
• Accessibility: Like its light rail, Valley Metro's buses are accessible.

How to Purchase Valley Metro Tickets and Passes

There are many ways to purchase tickets for Valley Metro's light rail and buses, including online and fare vending machines.

• Fare Vending Machines: The easiest way to purchase tickets and passes is from a fare vending machine. (You'll find detailed information on how to purchase from a fare vending machine in this article.) Fare vending machines are located at each light rail station and accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
• Bus Fare Box: If you are taking one ride on the bus, you can insert cash ($2) in the bus farebox.
• Transit Centers: Customer service windows at transit centers may sell tickets and passes when available.
• Retailers: Many grocery stores, convenience stores, and retailers sell one-ride tickets and one-day or multi-day passes. Check the Valley Metro website to see where these tickets and passes are sold, and contact the retailer to confirm availability.
• Online: You can purchase Valley Metro passes online; however, the passes will be mailed to you. They are not available to download or print. It also takes up to a week to process your pass, and all sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.

Tips for Getting Around the Valley

The greater Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the largest in the United States, with close to 5 million people. It's roughly the size of Delaware and encompasses more than 20 cities and towns. Getting around the Valley is relatively easy, though, if you keep these tips in mind:

• Phoenix is laid out on a grid. Except for Grand Avenue, most streets in Phoenix run north-south and east-west. Baseline Road serves as the baseline with major streets located at one-mile intervals heading north; major streets are also located at one-mile intervals east and west of Central Avenue. For the most part, cities and towns throughout the Valley mimic Phoenix's grid layout, making it fairly easy to navigate.
• Renting a car often makes the most sense. Public transportation doesn't always stop near major attractions or the resorts. Even when it does stop near a resort, you may have to walk a significant distance from the main road to the lobby and rooms, potentially carrying your luggage. On the other hand, renting a car costs significantly more, and resorts usually charge for overnight parking.
• Stay in downtown Phoenix if you want to use public transportation. Most major hotels in downtown Phoenix are within walking distance of the light rail. You can take the PHX Sky Train from the airport to the 44th Street/Washington Street station and transfer to light rail. Many attractions, including the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and the Arizona Science Center, are along the light rail's route. To see other Valley attractions, transfer to a bus or use a rideshare service.
• Valley Metro Rail is ideal for events. Because parking in downtown Phoenix can be a challenge for sporting events, concerts, and First Fridays, consider parking at one of the park-and-ride lots and taking the light rail downtown. Light rail also stops at Mill Avenue and Third Street in Tempe, one block south of Tempe Beach Park, where many major festivals occur, and in front of Sun Devil Stadium, where Arizona State University plays Pac-10 football.

Related Articles

More related articles.

Greater Phoenix In Business Magazine

• Latest Issue
• Featured Topics
• Departments
• En Negocios
• Daily Emails Sign Up
• Past Issues
• Top Stories
• Banking & Finance
• Commercial Real Estate & Development
• Economy & Trends
• Growth & Enterprise
• Healthcare & Wellness
• HR & Management
• Leadership & Management
• Legal & Regulations
• Technology & Innovation
• SEE All TOPICS
• GUEST COLUMNISTS
• PARTNER SECTIONS
• SPECIAL SECTION
• By the Numbers
• Cover Story
• From the Top
• Guest Editor
• Power Lunch
• Semi Insights

Valley Metro Plan & Track App Released, Real-Time Bus and Train Tracking

Valley Metro

PHOENIX—Ever wonder when your bus is arriving? Or, when the next train will pull into the station? Ponder no more. Valley Metro, in partnership with the city of Phoenix and Vix Technology, has launched the new Valley Metro: Plan & Track app that features real time bus and light rail tracking and trip planning.

“More than 90 percent of our riders own a smartphone and with this major upgrade in technology, our vital transit system becomes more accessible and easier to use. This new tool is particularly critical as our riders and our communities return stronger than ever from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Vice Chair of the Valley Metro RPTA Board of Directors.

The planning and tracking features of the app were accelerated after a 2020 rider survey indicated that nearly 70 percent of respondents stated that it is very important to keep riders informed of service updates. With real time tracking, it gives the riders the ability to see when their bus or train will arrive. With the app now available, riders can:

• Plan trips with step-by-step navigation
• Track buses and trains in real time
• View a trip’s travel time
• Save favorite stops
• Get service alerts and updates.

“This digital tool is a game changer for our riders. It basically takes all of the guesswork out of planning a transit trip,” said Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO. “We know this is a big deal for current riders and we believe it will attract new riders to our ever-growing system.”

In addition to real-time tracking, the app will introduce mobile fare payment in 2022. Riders will be able to create an account and pay for transit fares directly from their phone.

On behalf of the region, the city of Phoenix has contracted with Vix Technology to modernize Valley Metro’s regional fare system, giving riders greater tools and flexibility to access the transit system. This app is the first enhancement as part of a multi-year program that will also include mobile ticketing, reloadable smart cards and new, more modern fare collection equipment.

The app is free to download and is available on iOS and Google Play.

No related posts.

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Quick Links

In Business Magazine has created Quick Links to connect you immediately to top content that is relevant today in helping to build your business and better inform you.

Click on a category button below

TOP STORIES >

In Business Departments

Each month, the editors of In Business Magazine provide you with in-depth stories covering various aspects of business.

¡Nuevo! En Negocios es presentado por In Business Magazine en español para que la comunidad empresarial de habla hispana.

Browse past issues of In Business Magazine to get top stories on the local and statewide economy.

See All Past Issues: November 2010 To The Present »

• Business Events
• Marketing Services
• Custom Content
• Building Your Business
• Communications & Networking
• Real Estate & Housing
• Sales & Marketing
• Achievements
• Partner Sections
• Philanthropy
• Special Section
• Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits
• Arizona Technology Council
• NAWBO Phoenix
• Tempe Chamber
• Arizona Leadership Forum
• Become a Partner
• Associate Partners
• Ahwatukee Chamber
• Arizona Chamber
• Arizona Hispanic Chamber
• The Black Chamber of Arizona
• Chandler Chamber
• Economic Club of Phoenix
• Glendale Chamber
• Greater Phoenix Chamber
• Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber
• Mesa Chamber
• North Phoenix Chamber
• Peoria Chamber
• Scottsdale Area Chamber
• Surprise Regional Chamber

© 2024 inbusinessphx.com. All rights reserved. | Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

This site is best viewed using the latest versions of Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox.

In Business Dailies

Sign up for a complimentary year of  In Business Dailies with a bonus Digital Subscription of In Business Magazine delivered to your inbox each month!

• Get the day’s Top Stories
• Relevant In-depth Articles
• Daily Offers
• Coming Events