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Fares

The Rapid offers a number of different fare types and purchase options to best meet your needs when using the fixed-route system.

Wave hello to a better way to Ride!

Providing riders with a faster, easier and more convenient way to pay for your fare! Pay-as-you-go value makes travel on The Rapid buses easier than before.

 Purchase

Rapid Wave smart card

Payment Card Types

Card TypeFare or Cap
Increment
Single-Day Max Calendar Month Max
Adult (Wave card)$1.75$3.50$47.00
Ultra Light C (Wave card)$1.75$3.50$47.00
Youth (Wave card)$1.25$2.50$33.75
Reduced (Wave card)$0.85$2.25$30.00
ADA (Wave card)$0
10-Ride (Wave card)$13.50
Contactless Payments (Credit/Debit/Mobile)$1.75$3.50

*For inquiries about Partner Wave cards, please email

GO!Bus and PASS utilize different fare payment options. You can purchase fares online at any time.

 

Contactless Payments

Contactless payments will now be accepted as bus fare. Simply tap the card or device that has the contactless symbol at the reader as you board the bus. The Rapid accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. Riders will receive a transfer and can earn daily fare capping by using the same card or device for each trip. Adult fare pricing only at $1.75 per ride or $3.50 per day. 

*Please note that customers cannot use the same card or device to pay for other riders due to the passback window. 

Cash

Cash is accepted for bus fare. Riders using cash to pay their fare will not receive a transfer or a change card. It is recommended you pay in the exact amount, as we cannot provide change. 


Purchase a Wave Card

Online

Adult and 10-Ride Wave cards are available for purchase online at any time using credit cards only. All other types of Wave cards require photo identification and must be purchased at the Rapid Central Station Information Center. 

Note: When purchasing a ticket or pass with a credit or debit card, the card must bear the purchaser's name, i.e., The Rapid cannot accept "gift cards" such as pre-paid VISA® cards if it does not have the purchaser's name on the card. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

The Rapid processes all orders on the following business day. Delivery times are determined by the United States Postal Service (USPS) schedule, and The Rapid cannot verify the arrival times for orders.

At Rapid Central Station Information Center and Ticket Vending Machines

Wave cards are sold at Rapid Central Station Information Center or at any of the self-serve ticket vending machines. Ticket vending machines are available inside Rapid Central Station, on Rapid Central Station platform, at Kentwood Station, and on all Laker Line platforms. 

At Retail Locations

*Due to the nationwide chip shortage for smartcards, Wave cards are currently unavailable to be purchased at all retail locations. 

Wave cards are available to purchase at the following retail locations with cash, debit, or credit card. Payment standards may vary by outlet.

or at 60+ retail locations throughout the service area, including:

  • Walgreens
  • Speedway
  • Mobil
  • Marathon

Transfers

Transfers were developed to help customers travel conveniently within our system on a single fare. With The Wave card, your transfer timeframe is 105 minutes and begins with your first tap. This means that you have 105 minutes to ride anywhere in the system, even on the same route!

Your first tap will charge a normal fare to your account. Subsequent taps within the 105-minute transfer timeframe will not charge your account.

Transfers are not available when paying a cash fare.

Reduced Fares

In order to qualify for reduced fare on our fixed-route system, one must be age 65 or older, or have a current qualifying disability. All applicants not in The Rapid database must complete and submit a reduced fare application or visit Rapid Central Station. Learn more >

Replacement & Refund Policy

The Rapid will not replace Wave cards, tickets, transfer cards or change cards that have been damaged due to misuse or altered in any way. Wave cards, tickets and fare are non-refundable and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. Any value loaded onto a Wave card is non-refundable.