North Little Rock, Arkansas – Public transit riders in the Little Rock area now have a new way to pay for their trips as Rock Region METRO rolls out a reloadable smart fare card system.
The new program, known as METRO Pay, allows passengers to load money or transit passes onto a reusable card and then simply tap the card when boarding eligible fixed-route buses and microtransit vehicles. The system is intended to give riders another payment option while making the process of boarding public transportation more convenient.
“Introducing METRO Pay is an important step forward in making public transportation more convenient and accessible for the people we serve,” said Rock Region METRO CEO Justin Avery. “We want our riders to have more flexibility in how they pay their fares, while also providing features that help them get the most value from every trip.”
The agency is offering a special promotion to mark the introduction of the new cards. Riders who obtain their first METRO Pay smart card by Oct. 20 can receive it for free. They will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to receive free passes loaded onto their METRO Pay cards.
Rock Region METRO will also hold a launch celebration Sept. 21 at the River Cities Travel Center, where refreshments and METRO giveaways will be available.
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After the promotional period ends, the cards will no longer be free. Starting Oct. 21, riders will pay $10 for new smart cards as well as replacement cards.
Passengers can obtain a METRO Pay card in person at the River Cities Travel Center or order one online through the Rock Region METRO website. Customers who order online can choose to have the card mailed to them or sent to the Travel Center for pickup.
A valid email address is required to create a METRO Pay account and receive a smart card. Once an account is established, riders can manage their cards and add additional funds online.
Money can be added to a METRO Pay account using a debit or credit card online. Riders also have the option of visiting the Travel Center and adding funds with cash, a debit card or a credit card.
One of the system’s features is fare capping, which is designed to prevent riders from paying more than a set amount over a specific period. For passengers traveling in Little Rock and North Little Rock, the system automatically limits the amount paid to the cost of a Day Pass within one day. Over a 31-day period, payments are capped at the price of a 31-Day Pass.
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The new system also offers protection for registered users. If a METRO Pay card is lost or stolen, riders can replace it without losing the money that was already stored on the card.
While METRO Pay introduces a new payment method, Rock Region METRO is not eliminating its existing options. Limited-use paper passes, virtual passes and cash will continue to be accepted by the transit agency.
The agency has also created a dedicated METRO Pay webpage where riders can order cards, manage their accounts and reload funds.
More information about the new fare system is available through Rock Region METRO’s METRO Pay webpage.
