--- title: How to Pay When Boarding description: Have your cash fare or bus pass ready so you can board quickly. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/how-to-pay#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![CATA\_Logotype\_Blue.png\]](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CATA_Logotype_Blue.png?height=40&name=CATA_Logotype_Blue.png) - [Home](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/migration/en/knowledge) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/migration/en/knowledge) - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://www.cata.org/About-Contact/Contact-CATA-Feedback-Complaints) [Contact us](https://www.cata.org/About-Contact/Contact-CATA-Feedback-Complaints) Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Payment Options](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en) 3. [How to pay](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en#how-to-pay) # How to Pay When Boarding ## Have your cash fare or bus pass ready so you can board quickly. You will pay for your ride by putting your payment into a box located next to the bus driver. It’s called a farebox. If paying with cash or token: - Swipe your Student ID or CATAclub discount card on the right of the farebox. A short beep confirms that the farebox read your card or show your Medicare or ADA card to tell the driver you are entitled to the discount fare. - Insert bills (up to $10 US currency) or change in the indicated areas on the right side of the farebox. You’ll hear coins drop in the farebox and the bill collector grab the money. - The farebox cannot make change but it will issue a change card good for future rides if you don’t have the exact amount. You’ll hear the printer issue the balance as the card pops up on the left side of the farebox. - If your travels require more than one bus to reach your destination, ask for a free transfer when you pay your fare. The ticket will pop up on the left side of the farebox. You will dunk/insert the transfer in the same slot on the farebox when boarding your next bus or buses. - Transfers are good for two hours for travel in the same direction. If using a bus pass: - Swipe your pass on the right side of the farebox with the black strip facing you. A short beep confirms that the farebox accepted your pass. A longer series of loud beeps lets you know your pass was not accepted—i.e. it’s no longer valid. FYI, you do not need to request a transfer with a 31-Day or semester pass as you have unlimited rides as long as the pass is valid. 10-Ride cards are dunked/inserted in the slot on the left side of the farebox and the balance of rides will be printed on the back of the pass. You may ask for a free transfer when using a 10-Ride card if you will need to transfer to another bus to complete your trip. - [Planning Your Fixed-Route Trip](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/planning-your-fixed-route-trip?hsLang=en#main-content) - [CATA's Service Area](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/planning-your-fixed-route-trip?hsLang=en#catas-service-area) - [Tools To Help Plan Your Trip](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/planning-your-fixed-route-trip?hsLang=en#tools-to-help-plan-your-trip) - [Payment Options](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Cost to Ride](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en#cost-to-ride) - [Passes & IDs](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en#passes-ids) - [Where to get a pass](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en#where-to-get-a-pass) - [How to pay](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/payment-options?hsLang=en#how-to-pay) - [Riding CATA](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/riding-cata?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Riding with a bike or stroller](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/riding-cata?hsLang=en#riding-with-a-bike-or-stroller) - [Riding in a mobility device/wheelchair](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/riding-cata?hsLang=en#riding-in-a-mobility-device-wheelchair) - [Disability Resources](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/disability-resources?hsLang=en) - [Service Disruptions](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/service-disruptions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [No Service Holidays](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/service-disruptions?hsLang=en#no-service-holidays) - [Other](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/en/knowledge/other?hsLang=en) [![Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA)](https://knowledgebase.cata.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CATA_Logotype_Blue.png?width=598&height=242&name=CATA_Logotype_Blue.png "Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA)")](http://cata.org) Capital Area Transportation Authority Help Center Copyright © 2026, cata.org