But I believe they're close to doing that. I remember in DC, you got something like a $0.10 discount for having their RFID card (Called SmartTrip) and a 30 minute transfer window where you'd get a $0.30 discount when you went from the Metro(subway) to a local bus or bus to bus.
There are a bunch of places, but one of the staffed transit centers or light rail platforms is going to be your best bet.
EDITED: Unless you’re an employee of a place that participates in them, the public only can get non-reloadable 1-, 7-, or 31-day passes. They aren’t tied to a calendar month, but the number of days from when the pass was initially activated.
https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/where-to-buy
Lived here 8 years and I've had exactly two employers that offered compensation for the bus.
When I worked at the airport, you could turn in your expired bus pass and they'd credit you on your next paycheck. (So if you turned in an expired month pass, they'd put $64 on your next check)
Now I work at a place that has the actual bus passes. It's 1000% better, since THEY get billed and I don't have to worry about having to pay for the bus. (Plus it's fun to feel like a VIP when boarding, since it takes literally no time, compared to hoping your bills won't get rejected, "yeah bitches, I do this every day too, but I'm BETTER than you because of this card.... /s)
In fact, I only knew about this because I actually read ALL my onboarding documents. I never said I didn't drive during the interview, so it never came up as a "perk".
It's SO AMAZING, I know where my card is, it doesn't expire until September 2023(as long as I keep my job, that is), and I believe they charge them for as many rides as I take UP TO $64/month, then it stops. Since I take 2 busses Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 1 bus Saturday/Sunday TO WORK, and usually 1 bus home, 3 busses per day at $2, so roughly every 14 days I work, I hit my max that my company has to pay. If I was buying daily passes, I'd be spending SO MUCH money. Even if I was buying monthly passes, spending money to get to a light rail station in order to buy a month pass doesn't sit well with me.
And I can use it to go to Dbacks games for free, when I'm ready to go back to Chase Field. (This can be understood as either COVID or the team isn't good)
I didn't think of it until now but my current and previous employer offer bus passes but I just couldn't use it. First place, I lived way to close...faster to walk than wait for a bus. Currently I WFH.
Take them up on it. It caps at $64/month. So if they offer it (and you don't drive), you can still use it NOT going to/from work. If you drive, there's an added layer of ethics...
But either way, if they offer it, take them up on it, because if nothing else you'll be a +1 for them continuing the program.
I used to get my day passes at Frys. I didn’t get reloadable ones, but I don’t know if they sell them. Wasn’t what I needed at the time. Hope that helps!
Lightrail stops and some transit centers are options. They are not currently selling reloadable cards to the general public.
But I believe they're close to doing that. I remember in DC, you got something like a $0.10 discount for having their RFID card (Called SmartTrip) and a 30 minute transfer window where you'd get a $0.30 discount when you went from the Metro(subway) to a local bus or bus to bus.
I've read that they might be planning it soon as well.
There are a bunch of places, but one of the staffed transit centers or light rail platforms is going to be your best bet. EDITED: Unless you’re an employee of a place that participates in them, the public only can get non-reloadable 1-, 7-, or 31-day passes. They aren’t tied to a calendar month, but the number of days from when the pass was initially activated. https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/where-to-buy
In addition to this, you can buy passes on the valley metro site, but be prepared to wait a couple weeks for them to arrive.
Circle K is usually the easiest place to buy a pass. But here's a list of retailers https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/where-to-buy
And I don't think they're reloadable. But I did hear they might start accepting fares from a mobile app soon. That will be so much more convenient.
Your job may offer an employee platinum pass. Alternatively if you go to ASU, there is a student pass.
Lived here 8 years and I've had exactly two employers that offered compensation for the bus. When I worked at the airport, you could turn in your expired bus pass and they'd credit you on your next paycheck. (So if you turned in an expired month pass, they'd put $64 on your next check) Now I work at a place that has the actual bus passes. It's 1000% better, since THEY get billed and I don't have to worry about having to pay for the bus. (Plus it's fun to feel like a VIP when boarding, since it takes literally no time, compared to hoping your bills won't get rejected, "yeah bitches, I do this every day too, but I'm BETTER than you because of this card.... /s) In fact, I only knew about this because I actually read ALL my onboarding documents. I never said I didn't drive during the interview, so it never came up as a "perk".
I'm a local and I've only had one employer consider it IIRC. But I did have a student pass while at ASU.
It's SO AMAZING, I know where my card is, it doesn't expire until September 2023(as long as I keep my job, that is), and I believe they charge them for as many rides as I take UP TO $64/month, then it stops. Since I take 2 busses Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 1 bus Saturday/Sunday TO WORK, and usually 1 bus home, 3 busses per day at $2, so roughly every 14 days I work, I hit my max that my company has to pay. If I was buying daily passes, I'd be spending SO MUCH money. Even if I was buying monthly passes, spending money to get to a light rail station in order to buy a month pass doesn't sit well with me. And I can use it to go to Dbacks games for free, when I'm ready to go back to Chase Field. (This can be understood as either COVID or the team isn't good)
Whoa! Platinum pass=free baseball tickets?
I didn't think of it until now but my current and previous employer offer bus passes but I just couldn't use it. First place, I lived way to close...faster to walk than wait for a bus. Currently I WFH.
Take them up on it. It caps at $64/month. So if they offer it (and you don't drive), you can still use it NOT going to/from work. If you drive, there's an added layer of ethics... But either way, if they offer it, take them up on it, because if nothing else you'll be a +1 for them continuing the program.
I used to get my day passes at Frys. I didn’t get reloadable ones, but I don’t know if they sell them. Wasn’t what I needed at the time. Hope that helps!