Valley Metro provides bus transportation in the Greater Phoenix area.
Under the Valley Metro brand, local governments joined to fund the Valley-wide transit system that the public sees on the streets today.
Click here to learn more about Valley Metro and its history.
Riding the Bus 101
Planning Your Trip
Taking public transit can be intimidating if you’ve never used it before. Valley Metro offers a number of online resources to help you plan your trip and feel prepared.
Plan your trip using the Valley Metro Trip Planner. While on the trip planner webpage, you can also use the Valley Metro system map to get the lay of the land and view the most current route schedules and maps. Be sure to understand the route schedules for each leg of your trip and the hours of operation for all modes of public transit you plan to take.
Are you an app person? Check out Valley Metro’s list of online tools. They’re easy to download and use with your smart device. Not an app person? You can download the most current transit book online.
Paying Your Fare
Valley Metro Rail, Valley Metro LINK and local buses share the same fare structure. Check out the Valley Metro website for more details on all of the fare options.
Bus Fares may be purchased four different ways – click on each option to get details on how to purchase your transit pass.
Retail Fare Sales Locations – throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area
At Fare Vending Machines – located at each light rail station and select LINK stations
On the Bus – Save Time and Money by Purchasing your Pass Before Boarding the Bus!
Getting on Board
How to Ride the Bus
Once you’ve planned your trip and purchased your transit pass, there are some items to note when you get on board.
- Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart. Be visible, stay in the safe zone (away from the curb), and have your fare ready.
- If you have a bike – All Valley Metro buses are equipped with bike racks, which are available on a first come, first-served basis. If the rack is full, you will need to wait until the next bus. See all the tips for bringing a bike with you when you ride the bus (link bringing a bike with you on the bus to http://www.valleymetro.org/getting_on_board/bikes_bus) on the Valley Metro website.
- Let others exit before boarding. Pay your fare and find a seat. If not seat is available, simply stand behind the yellow line near the front of the bus.
- Major streets and stops are announced and visually displayed. Watch or listen for your stop. About a block before your destination, pull the cord or press the strip near the window to signal the operator.
- Exit through the back door.
Want More Information?
You can find information on Valley Metro policies for riding the bus, transit centers, park-and-rides, accessibility andsafety on the Valley Metro website.
You can also visit Valley Metro’s FAQ page for a list of questions frequently asked by riders or contact their customer service representatives directly.
Looking for a List of Local Destinations?
Check out a list of local destinations you can get to with public transit. Plan your adventure today!
Airport Connections
Using public transit to connect to Sky Harbor International Airport?
Connect to Sky Harbor International Airport via PHX Sky Train® at the 44th St/Washington light rail station or with Valley Metro bus routes 1 and 44.
The PHX Sky Train® is a free service connecting travelers from the 44th St/Washington light rail station to all terminals and East Economy parking. Learn about Sky Train by clicking here.