Prepaid Fare Card
As a form of contactless fare payment, these reloadable cards are available for purchase and can carry up to $100 in value.
How the Prepaid Fare Card Works
The Prepaid Fare Card works on all CATA services except Shopping Bus and CATA Rydz. When you board, your fare is automatically deducted from the card balance. You can add up to $100 on your card and the money never expires. Tap the card on the validator or tablet when boarding. Your fare is automatically deducted from the card.
Where to Get Your Card
You can buy Prepaid Fare Cards at these CATA locations:
- CATA Transportation Center, 420 S. Grand Ave., Lansing
- Capital Area Multimodal Gateway, 1240 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing
- CATA Administrative Offices, 4615 Tranter St., Lansing
How to Add Money to Your Card
Cards start with a $0 balance. You will need to add money before you can use your card. You can add money to your Prepaid Fare Card at several places. The card holds up to $100.
- At Retail Locations
- Add money at select stores including Walgreens, CVS, 7-Eleven, Walmart, Meijer and Target.
- At CATA Locations
- Visit a CATA Customer Experience Representative at any CATA location. They can add money to your card.
- Visit a CATA Customer Experience Representative at any CATA location. They can add money to your card.
Discounted Fares with Your Prepaid Card
You can get discounted fares with your Prepaid Fare Card if you link it to an account with a valid discount. Seniors 62 and older, Medicare cardholders, riders with disabilities and eligible students can get discounts. Generic cards without a linked account charge the standard fare.
To set up discounted fares, visit a CATA Customer Experience Representative at a CATA location. Bring valid ID or documents that show you qualify for a discount. The representative will link your card to your account and set it as your primary payment method.
Checking Your Balance
You can check how much money is left on your card in three ways:
● Online: Log in to the customer portal
● In person: Ask a CATA Customer Experience Representative
You can also see past charges by logging in to your account through the customer portal or asking a CATA Customer Service Representative.