VIA's new fareboxes offer more convenient options so you can pay your way, whether you choose contactless credit card, mobile wallet, goCard, goCard lite, the goMobile+ app, or cash.
Pay Your Way
CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
MOBILE WALLET
CASH
Riders can always pay with cash when boarding a bus and VIA’s new farebox makes it simple to simply insert bills and coins; a change receipt will be provided for overpayments of a $1.00 or more.
goCARD
The VIA goCard is an electronic reloadable fare card. With the goCard customers can add value and passes to their card instead of carrying cash. It is a great addition to VIA’s innovative goMobile ticketing app.
More about goCard
♦ Don’t worry about carrying cash.
♦ Simplify transfers – your goCard is programmed to automatically know when you are within the transfer window and charges accordingly.
♦ Use your goCard anywhere throughout the VIA service area.
♦ Load and manage card online.
♦ Purchased products are loaded on your card within 24 to 48 hours.
♦ Load products immediately onto goCards at VIA Ticket Vending Machines that accept cash and credit cards.
♦ Passes and tickets on your card are not activated until the first ride.
♦ Customers who present a VIA Reduced Fare goCard ID when boarding are automatically verified for eligibility – separate ID card is not required.
The free VIA goCard serves as a reduced-fare VIA ID for Students and Senior (age 62+). Qualifying Students and Seniors are eligible for half-fare, 31-Day, 7-Day, and Day Passes; Senior also ride for 25 cents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and fare-free Saturday and Sunday.
Customer can create an online account, register and:
♦ protect the value on your card if lost or stolen
♦ easily reload value or passes
♦ check balances
♦ link family accounts
Does my senior goCard ID expire?
Yes; every five years you will need a new goCard ID.
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.
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 goCards IDs and reduced fare goCards including students, seniors, active-duty US Military are available at VIA Customer Service Centers.
What is a senior goCard ID?The senior goCard ID has a smart chip embedded in the card, so riders have access to a safe and secure alternative to paying cash fares and will automatically receive discounted fare access. When using the goCard to ride the bus passengers simply show the 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.
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.
Does my senior goCard ID expire?
Yes; every five years you will need a new goCard ID.
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.
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.
goCARD LITE
VIA’s goCard lite is a smart card that replaces the e-fare card and can be loaded with a 31-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass and/or Day Pass. Simply tap the fare box with the goCard lite. The remaining value and expiration will be displayed on the farebox screen.
More about goCard lite
We have replaced the pre-loaded magnetic stripe e-fare cards with upgraded pre-loaded goCard lite smartcards.
Rather than inserting an e-fare card into the fare box to to activate it, you will tap the goCard lite on the new farebox. The value remaining on the card, or the expiration will be displayed on the farebox screen. The goCard lite cards are not reloadable.
Customers can now purchase goCard lite passes — preloaded with a 31-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass or Day Pass — at many local retailers, including most H-E-B stores listed below. The term starts the first time they are tapped on the bus.
goMOBILE+ APP
VIA’s goMobile+ app allows riders to purchase One-Day, 7-Day, 31-Day, 2.5-Hour, VIAtrans, and Park & Ride passes directly onto a mobile device for quick and easy payment when boarding.
More about the goMobile+ app
♦ Easy access to trip planning
♦ Expanded payment options that allow users to load value with cash
♦ Improved support for goMobile+ users
♦ Stronger security features to reduce fraud
♦ Use Apple Pay, Visa, and Mastercard to purchase fares.
♦ Buy tickets anytime and activate them when you are ready to ride
♦ Activated fare will display as an animated ticket on your device screen
♦ Show the screen to your operator when boarding
VISIT THE goMOBILE+ PAGE FOR MORE
Convenience when Boarding
New and modern fare boxes will replace current fare boxes to speed up boardings, provide more options for customers and reduce delays.
Using the New Fare Box
New goCard lite
replaces e-fare card
We have replaced the pre-loaded magnetic stripe e-fare cards with upgraded pre-loaded goCard lite smartcards. Instead of dipping an e-fare card to activate it, you will tap the goCard lite on the new farebox. The value remaining on the card, or the expiration will be displayed on the farebox screen. The goCard lite cards are not reloadable.
Customers can now purchase goCard lite passes — preloaded with a 31-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass or Day Pass — at many local retailers, including most H-E-B stores listed below. The term starts the first time they are tapped on the bus.
H-E-B LOCATIONS
#01 1955 Nacogdoches Rd.
#03 108 N. Rosillo St.
#04 1601 Nogalitos St.
#05 2118 Fredericksburg Rd.
#07 415 N. New Braunfels Ave.
#08 300 W. Olmos Dr.
#09 735 S.W. Military Dr.
#10 2130 Culebra Rd.
#11 400 Valley Hi Dr.
#12 18140 San Pedro Ave.
#13 4100 S. New Braunfels Ave.
#14 6839 San Pedro Ave.
#16 721 Castroville Rd.
#18 1520 Austin Hwy.
#19 6580 FM 78
#20 2929 Thousand Oaks
#21 3323 S. E. Military Dr.
#22 1015 S. W.W. White Rd.
#23 5910 Babcock Rd.
#24 6000 West Ave.
#25 7951 Guilbeau Rd.
#27 8231 Marbach Rd.
#29 9900 Wurzbach Rd.
#30 5601 Bandera Rd.
#33 14087 O’Connor Road
#34 6030 Montgomery Drive
#35 15000 San Pedro
#36 7010 S. Zarzamora St.
#37 9255 Grissom Road
#38 11551 West Ave.
#41 10718 Potranco Road
#43 999 East Basse Road
#44 12018 Perrin Beitel Road
#45 12125 Alamo Ranch Parkway
#48 17238 Bulverde Road
Frequently Asked Questions
Riders can choose from several options to pay right on the bus:
• VISA, Mastercard, and Discover credit and debit cards with contact-less chip
• Mobile wallets using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay
• VIA goMobile+ app
• Transit app
• Reloadable VIA goCards
• VIA goCard lites pre-loaded with a pass or value
• Cash
Currently, riders can only pay their bus fare by credit card or mobile wallet.
Simply tap your contactless-enabled bank card or mobile wallet on the reader where the contactless symbol is located at the top of the farebox.
If your contactless-enabled bank card is not being accepted on the bus, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
• You have a new card. If you have a new contactless-enabled card, you might need to activate it first. If after activating your new contactless-enabled bank card it is still not working, please contact your card issuer at the phone number listed on the back of your card.
• Your card issuer has declined payment. This may be due to your bank account not having enough funds for the journey. Please check with your card issuer.
• Your card may be damaged or expired. If this happens, you’ll need to get your card reissued by contacting your card issuer.
• Your card type is not accepted, e.g. American Express, and other card brands.
Yes, Tap-to-Pay transactions are processed through the same secure networks used for all other Visa, Mastercard, and Discover transactions. Contactless cards are built on secure EMV® Chip technology, which has proven effective at reducing counterfeit fraud.
No, there are no additional fees to use contactless-enabled payment methods.
No, the goCard is reloadable and the goCard lite is limited use. Both utilize the same Tap and Gotechnology.
The goCard lite is VIA’s new disposable Tap and Go that will function similar to the previous e-fare card, with limited-use fare that can be loaded with a specific pass.
Customers can purchase goCard lite passes at VIA Customer Centers, and at most H-E-B stores.
The goCard lite is a disposable, limited-use card that is activated upon the first tap on the bus and is not reloadable.
You can visit the goCard lite portal or call our customer Goline at (210) 362-2020.
Yes, VIA still accepts cash, but paying with exact fare is highly recommended. Operators can only provide a change receipt if the amount due is more than $1.00.
Customers can register their card at the goCard lite portal.
If you registered your card at the goCard lite portal, contact a Customer Service Representative at (210) 362-2020 or in person at any VIA Customer Service Center during normal business hours to report your card lost or stolen.
The value on an unregistered goCard lite can not be recovered.
There is no personal information stored on your goCard lite.
No, but you can exchange it for a new goCard lite at any of Customer Service centers during normal business hours through January 31, 2025.
No, you will continue using it by showing it to the Operator when boarding until the noted expiration date on the pass.