Universal Reduced Fare Card Pilot Program

Metro is participating in a Universal Reduced Fare Card pilot program sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation. The purpose of the program is to allow seniors and individuals with a disability to receive a discounted fare when traveling throughout Michigan without having to be certified by each transit system in the state. There are 34 transit systems participating in the program.

Passengers that are registered with Metro as a senior or an individual with a disability have the option of getting a Universal Reduced Fare sticker on the back of their ID card by calling (269) 337-8222 or picking them up at the Kalamazoo Transportation Center, 459 North Burdick Street or at the Metro Administration Office, 530 North Rose Street. The ID card can then be used with the other transit agencies that are part of the program to receive a reduced fare. Each agency will charge their own reduced fare so costs can vary from system to system. Participating agencies will continue to use their own ID cards but all with have the same sticker for the reduced fare.

Passengers that already have senior or disability cards can also request the sticker. There is no charge for the sticker. The Universal Reduced Fare stickers can be used on both fixed-route and demand/response paratransit services. The cards do not provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligibility and do not provide reduced fare for ADA paratransit. 

It is the rider’s responsibility to contact the other transit agencies where they are traveling to get information about the system’s policies, hours and fares. For a list of all participating systems, click here. 

This is a one-year pilot program that will last until May 1, 2019, at which time it will be determined if the program will continue.  More information on MDOT Universal Reduced Fare can be found, click here.