Bus Farebox Replacement 2026

In mid-2026, CapMetro is upgrading the fareboxes on all buses. The new fareboxes will not sell or accept paper passes with magnetic stripes.

What You Need to Know

  • All paper magnetic passes and day passes will no longer be sold or accepted on the bus. Use existing paper passes before June 1.
  • Riders using cash can continue to buy a Single Ride with cash at the bus farebox or ticket vending machine.
  • Fare prices will stay the same.

As part of our goal to make our fare system seamless, easy to use, and reliable, CapMetro is proposing the retirement of its Day Pass fare option effective June 1, 2026. This means that riders will no longer have the option to purchase a Day Pass.

Watch our Fare Presentation for more information: English | español

Give Us Your Feedback

We want to hear from you about our proposal to retire the Day Pass (effective June 1) as part of our transition to an account-based fare system. Attend our public hearing on Wednesday, February 11 at noon. The public hearing will be held in person at 2910 E. 5th Street in the Rosa Parks boardroom and remote participation will be available to anyone desiring to speak. Ride Routes 4, 300 and 800 to the boardroom.

Speakers who wish to make comments remotely may sign up by emailing boardofdirectors@capmetro.org>>, or by calling (512) 369-6040 and leaving a message with name and telephone number. Sign up to speak remotely is 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11. Instructions on how to participate virtually will be provided via email or phone just after 8 a.m. on the day of the hearing. For in-person participation, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the hearing to sign up to speak.   

If you need any specific accommodation, please contact us with any request. We can provide various services, including effective communication and language access services, such as Spanish and ASL. To facilitate your requests, kindly contact us at engage@capmetro.org at least 72 hours in advance. 

phone being presented to a new scanner

Get the same cost benefits of a day pass through fare capping with these methods:

Riders using the following payment methods will continue to pay the equivalent of a Day Pass -- $2.50 per Service Day (4:00 a.m. to 3:59 a.m.) for Local services (except Pickup):

  • The Umo app
  • A CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card. Get your card and load it with cash at H-E-B, the Transit Store or other popular retailers. See the full list of retailers.
  • Tap-to-pay with your credit or debit card (Coming Soon)

You cannot use both the Umo app and the Reloadable Fare Card, you must choose one.

How to Set Up Your Accounts

You must choose only one method: app or card!

Umo app icon

  1. Download “Umo” in the App Store here or the Play Store here. Open the app, enable location services and choose "CapMetro"
  2. Need to change the Umo language to match the language on your phone? This is automatic for Android users. Go to your iPhone settings > Umo App > Preferred Language > Select English, Spanish or French.
  3. On the home screen of the app, select “Sign in.”
  4. Select “Create a new account.”
  5. Choose to create an account with your mobile number or email.
  6. Select “Wallet” tab and then tap “Buy”.
  7. Choose to either add money to your wallet to pay as you ride or redeem a benefit code.
  8. If adding money to your wallet, you will need to link a payment method.
  9. You’re ready to ride! When you board the Bus, select the “Code” tab at the bottom of your Umo App to reveal a QR code. Hold your phone under a scanner. Wait for the sound and light confirmation screen and you're on your way! On Rail, show the conductor your QR code.

More info available in our App FAQ

CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card

  1. CapMetro Reloadable Fare Cards can be reloaded online, at participating retailers or the Transit Store.
  2. Visit umopass.com and register your account by clicking “Create Account.”
  3. Select “Register a card.” Enter the 19 digit number on the back of your card & click “Next.”
  4. Create a unique username and password.
  5. (optional) enter an email address and phone number. Click “Save”
  6. Once registered, select “CapMetro” from the main menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
  7. Select “Wallet” tab and then tap “Buy Value or Pass”.
  8. Choose to add “Stored Value”.
  9. Select cash amount to load, then complete the purchase process.