Valley Metro Ditches Paper Passes: A New Era Begins Oct. 28

PHOENIX — Commuters using Valley Metro face a deadline as the transportation service transitions to a new payment system, Copper Card. After October 28, paper tickets will no longer be accepted.

To assist with this shift, Valley Metro will host a pop-up fare event on October 10 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sunnyslope Community Center on 802 E Vogel Avenue. This event aims to help riders convert their paper passes and apply for reduced fares.

Representatives will be available at the event to answer questions and guide users through the process of switching to the new card system. All commuters who still rely on paper tickets are encouraged to participate.

For detailed information on obtaining and reloading the Copper Card, Valley Metro’s website provides resources on registration and card management.

“The Valley” refers to the expansive Phoenix Metropolitan Area, recognized as the largest metropolitan region in the Southwest. It comprises various cities, including Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Glendale, among others. With a combined population of 4,845,832, it ranks as the 11th largest metropolitan area in the nation, according to the 2020 United States Census.