General
What is a goCard?
VIA goCard is a durable plastic card with a smart chip designed to make your transit experience simple and secure. You’ll be able to load your goCard electronically with transit passes or stored value and tap your card when boarding a bus to pay your fare. Some benefits include faster boarding, card balance protection with registration, account management, secure purchases, safe and secure alternative to paying cash fares, and more durable than magnetic stripe cards (e-fare cards).
Riders who qualify for VIA’s Reduced Fare Program, for example seniors 62 and older, are given a Reduced Fare goCard ID which are specially encoded so the system automatically gives you the discounted fare if appropriate.
When and where can I get a goCard?
VIA is currently testing the functionality of the goCard system by distributing goCards at VIA Customer Service Centers. Distribution of VIAtrans goCard IDs and reduced fare goCard IDs such as students, seniors, active-duty US Military has begun and will continue. Shortly after testing has concluded the goCard will be made available for the general public at all VIA Ticket Vending Machines located at VIA Customer Service Centers. Stay tuned for goCard updates by subscribing for emails regarding VIA’s newsletters and service alerts.
Senior goCard ID
How is the senior goCard ID different than the previous VIA-issued senior ID?
Your new senior goCard ID has a smart chip embedded in the card, so you now have access to a safe and secure alternative to paying cash fares and will automatically receive discounted fare access. When using your card to ride the bus you will continue to show your ID to the bus operator to receive access to the discounted fare.
What are the qualifications to obtain a senior goCard ID?
Seniors 62 years and older automatically qualify for a senior goCard ID. To obtain a senior goCard ID visit any VIA Customer Service location with your government-issued ID.
How do I use the senior goCard ID?
To use your senior goCard ID, simply board the bus with your goCard ID handy. During this testing period, you have two options on how to pay for your trip. Option 1 – Pay with your goCard ID by tapping your goCard ID on the reader inside the bus and then show your goCard ID to the bus operator. Your discounted fare will automatically be deducted upon tapping your goCard ID. Option 2 – Show your goCard ID to the bus operator (picture facing the bus operator) and insert cash or pay for your trip with a e-fare ticket.
What if my senior goCard ID gets lost or stolen? Where can I get a replacement?
If you lose your senior goCard ID, please visit the nearest camera equipped VIA Customer Service Center. Be ready to present a government-issued ID and $3 dollars for a replacement card.
What are the senior discounted fares?
Seniors 62 and older qualify for half-fare rates which include One Day Pass for $1.35, and one-way fare for 65 cents. Value day passes such as a 7 Day Pass and 31 Day Pass are available for $6 and $19, respectively.
Is there a cost to get a senior goCard ID?
The senior goCard ID is free! Seniors 62 and older qualify for one free senior goCard ID. Replacement IDs can be made for a $3 dollar fee.
Can I load money onto my senior goCard ID?
Yes. During this testing phase customers are now allowed to load their goCard electronically with bus passes or stored value (cash amount). To load your card, visit VIAinfo.net/goCard and click on “Register & Manage Your goCard” or visit your closest VIA Customer Service Center.
Does my senior goCard ID expire?
Yes; every five years you will need a new goCard ID.
How should I care for my goCard?
Your goCard is durable and designed to last six years. Treat your card like any other money card. Protect it. Do not bend, puncture or wash it. If your card is stored in your wallet, near chip-based cards that use radio frequency information, or near another goCard, please relocate it.
Can others use my senior goCard ID?
No. Your goCard ID is not transferrable. Only the person in the picture can use the senior goCard ID.
VIAtrans goCard IDs
How is the VIAtrans goCard ID different than the previous VIA-issued VIAtrans ID?
Your new VIAtrans goCard ID has a smart chip embedded in the card, so during this testing phase, you have access to a safe and secure alternative to paying cash fares. When using your card to ride the bus you will continue to show your ID to the bus operator to receive your free ride. When using your card to ride a VIAtrans vehicle, you will continue to show your ID to the van operator to verify your identity.
What are the qualifications to obtain a VIAtrans goCard ID?
You may apply to determine eligibility for VIAtrans. Eligibility is based on an individual’s functional ability to use regular city bus service, in keeping with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) criteria.
How do I use the VIAtrans goCard ID?
To use your VIAtrans goCard ID on the regular city bus, simply board the bus with your goCard ID handy. Tap your goCard ID on the reader inside the bus, then show your goCard ID (picture facing the bus operator) and take a seat.
To use your VIAtrans goCard ID on VIAtrans vehicles, simply show your goCard ID (picture facing the van operator), pay the VIAtrans fare, and board the vehicle. If you have previously loaded cash value on your VIAtrans goCard ID, you may tap your goCard ID on the reader inside the VIAtrans vehicle (VIA and MV Transportation vehicles) to pay your fare.
What if my VIAtrans goCard ID is lost or stolen? Where can I get a replacement?
A VIAtrans goCard ID is required to ride VIAtrans service. If you lose your VIAtrans goCard ID, please visit the VIA Metro Center. Be ready to present a government-issued ID and $3 dollars for a replacement card. If the previous VIAtrans goCard ID is later found, please destroy it. The lost VIAtrans goCard ID will no longer be valid to use on VIAtrans service.
Is there a cost for a VIAtrans goCard ID?
The VIAtrans goCard ID is free! Riders eligible to use the VIAtrans service will be given a free VIAtrans goCard ID. Replacement IDs can be made for a $3 dollar fee.
Can I load money onto my VIAtrans goCard ID?
Yes. You may load your goCard electronically with stored value (cash amount) and tap your goCard on the van to pay your fare. During this testing phase VIAtrans customers are now allowed to load their goCard electronically with stored value (cash amount). To load your card, visit VIAinfo.net/goCard and click on “Register & Manage Your goCard” or visit your closest VIA Customer Service Center.
Does my VIAtrans goCard ID expire?
Yes; every five years you will need a new goCard ID.
Can others use my VIAtrans goCard ID?
No. Your goCard ID is not transferrable. Only the person eligible for VIAtrans service can use the VIAtrans goCard ID.
Can my PCA use my VIAtrans goCard ID?
No. Your goCard ID is not transferrable. Only the person eligible for the VIAtrans service can use the VIAtrans goCard ID. If you are allowed a PCA, then your goCard ID will indicate “PCA” on it and they will ride for free when riding with you. If you do not see “PCA” on your VIAtrans goCard ID, then your PCA will need to pay for their own fare when riding with you.
How should I care for my goCard?
Your goCard is durable and designed to last six years. Treat your card like any other money card. Protect it. Do not bend, puncture or wash it. If your card is stored in your wallet, near chip-based cards that use radio frequency information, or near another goCard, please relocate it.
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