Copper Card
| Company type | Public transit fare payment system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Headquarters | Phoenix , United States |
Area served | Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona |
| Products | Contactless smartcard fare payment, mobile app payment |
| Parent | Valley Metro |
The Copper Card serves as a contactless smartcard fare payment method implemented by Valley Metro throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona. This card, along with the Valley Metro mobile application, is valid for use on Valley Metro Rail, Valley Metro Bus, and Valley Metro Streetcar services.
Designed to replace traditional paper tickets and passes, the Copper Card provides options for daily, weekly, and monthly fare passes featuring fare capping. This system automatically applies the cost of individual rides toward the relevant pass threshold.
Following the approval of the 2015 Proposition 104 transit tax, Valley Metro collaborated with the city of Phoenix to award a contract in 2020 to Australian company Vix Technology for developing this fare solution. Mobile payment functionality was introduced through the Valley Metro app in March 2023, with distribution of Copper Cards beginning in early 2024. The full rollout occurred in August 2024, completely phasing out paper fare media by October.
Technology
The Copper Card is a credit card-sized contactless smartcard enabling convenient fare payments. Users can add value at numerous major retailers that sell gift cards via InComm Payments' extensive network, which does not require specialized hardware at retail locations. This allows Copper Cards to be available on gift card displays throughout stores in the Phoenix metropolitan region. The Valley Metro mobile application is free of charge and compatible with both iOS and Android platforms.
Predecessors
Since the 1990s, Valley Metro has pioneered various fare payment technologies. Its predecessor, the Phoenix Transit System, introduced a postpaid billing option for employer-sponsored passes in 1991 called Bus Card Plus. This early implementation of fare capping billed employers up to the price of a monthly bus pass. The fareboxes employed magnetic stripe card readers developed internally.
In 1995, Valley Metro was among the first to accept MasterCard and Visa credit cards directly on buses. However, this system processed transactions offline; data was downloaded weekly from fareboxes at garages. While this approach reduced transaction fees, it exposed Valley Metro to risks such as declined payments and fraud, leading to discontinuation of onboard credit card acceptance in 2002.
By 2007, paper bus passes were introduced alongside cash fares, offering daily, weekly, and monthly options sold at light rail stations. This fare collection utilized proprietary equipment from Scheidt & Bachmann, which limited system scalability. Concurrently, Bus Card Plus evolved into Platinum Pass featuring a new proprietary smartcard for employer-sponsored programs.
Proposal
After passage of the Proposition 104 transit tax measure in 2015, Valley Metro and Phoenix initiated research into modernizing fare payment systems. The city of Phoenix took lead with four primary objectives: advancing customer-facing technology, enhancing data analytics capabilities, broadening distribution channels for fare media, and ensuring long-term operational sustainability. The goal was to have a fully implemented system by 2021.
In July 2020, a 19-year contract was awarded jointly by Valley Metro and Phoenix to Vix Technology. This agreement covered provision of equipment, technology platforms, and services across all Valley Metro transit modes including bus and light rail operations.
Launch
Valley Metro introduced a redesigned mobile app in 2021, followed by a pilot program for mobile payments in 2022. The rollout of compatible card readers on buses and light rail platforms commenced in late 2022. By February 2023, mobile payment options were fully operational across all transit services. Riders can purchase fares using credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cash at authorized retail outlets. The app generates a QR code that acts as an Adult or reduced fare Copper Card linked to the user’s reduced fare account. Additionally, special event passes, such as those for the NCAA Final Four, are distributed through the app. Upcoming updates will allow users to add special cards like the Platinum card.
The deployment of the Copper Card system encountered setbacks due to supply chain issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April 2024, new Copper Card variants were launched: ADA, Platinum, and A+, designed respectively for riders with disabilities, employees of major employers, and students.
On August 19, 2024, Valley Metro officially released the Copper Card to the public. Retail locations such as Albertsons, CVS, Safeway, Walgreens, and convenience stores including Circle K began offering the cards for sale.
The use of paper magnetic stripe passes was phased out as of October 28, 2024.
Rates
The Copper Card and Valley Metro’s mobile app incorporate a fare capping system known as Smart Fare. This system applies payments from single rides toward daily, weekly, and monthly pass thresholds. Passes are no longer sold upfront; instead, they activate automatically once the fare cap is reached.
The Copper Card is accepted on all Valley Metro bus lines—including local, RAPID, and express routes—as well as on Valley Metro Rail. Starting August 4, 2025, it will also be valid on the Streetcar. At present, it is not accepted on paratransit services or rural route 685 to Ajo, though plans exist to integrate these routes in the future. Additional expansions will include compatibility with Microtransit and rideshare options.
| Fare type | Local bus and light rail | Streetcar | Express / RAPID1 | Reduced fare2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single ride | $2 | $1 | $3.25 | $1 ($0.50 for Streetcar) |
| Daily cap | $4 | $4 | $6.50 | $2 |
| Weekly cap | $20 | $20 | - | $10 |
| Monthly cap | $64 | $64 | $104 | $32 |
Notes
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Card variants
| Variant | Design | Fare type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Adult fare | The standard reloadable card available to the general public; limited-duration versions (1-day, 7-day, and 31-day) are distributed by select organizations and businesses. | |
| Reduced | Reduced fare | Accessible through a reduced fare account; limited-use versions provided by certain organizations or businesses. | |
| Platinum | Unlimited travel | Intended for organizations that subsidize fares for employees or residents; monthly fare capping billed directly to these entities. Issued to ASU students participating in the U-Pass program. | |
| Special Events Pass | Adult Fare | Distributed for special occasions; can be purchased at designated vending machines or retailers and may be bundled with event tickets. | |
| ADA Platinum | Unlimited travel | Offers free transit access to ADA-eligible riders plus one companion; costs are covered by the member city based on jurisdictional responsibility. | |
| A+ | Youth (K-12), Unlimited Travel | Provided through participating schools; monthly reduced fare capping billed to the issuing school. | |
| City of Tempe Youth Transit Pass | Youth, Unlimited Travel | Available exclusively for youth residents of the City of Tempe. | |
| Social Services/Limited Use Card | Unlimited travel | Designed for clients requiring transportation to essential non-recreational activities such as work, childcare, or medical appointments; offered in 1-day, 7-day, and 31-day formats; fares are billed at reduced rates to issuing organizations. | |
| South Central Extension | Adult Fare | Created to commemorate the launch of the South Central Extension. |