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Fares, Passes & Transfers

At the FRTA's Annual Board meeting on May 18, 2023, the Advisory Board agreed to suspend fares on all of its fixed bus route and ADA service through June 30, 2024. This does not apply to our Demand Response or ACCESS transportation.

It’s a Go!

GoCard! is the smart new way to ride the bus. It is easy to use, inexpensive and can hold unlimited trips within the FRTA fixed route system for 31 consecutive days. Once purchased for $40, you will have 31-consecutive days of unlimited travel time available, including transfers and $20 reduced fare GoCards! are available to those who qualify. Alternatively, you can use your rechargeable and reusable GoCards! by adding stored value to the card.

Each time you ride an FRTA bus, you simply tap your GoCard! on the farebox and ride.

Click here to view our brochure!

 

FRTA’s fixed-route service is accessible to persons with disabilities. Buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and/or ramps that enable persons in wheelchairs, or persons who cannot navigate steps, to ride the bus. Operators are trained to assist riders to use lifts/ramps, secure wheelchairs, provide information on destinations served and announce stops.

Reduced fares

Passengers with:

  • a valid Statewide Access Pass (Click here for the Statewide Access Pass Application)
  • FRTA Veteran’s photo ID card ( Click here for the Veterans Application)
  • persons over 60 (be prepared to show a valid photo ID)
  • and students through grade 12 (be prepared to show school or FRTA issued photo ID)

ride for reduced fare ($0.75).

Passengers with a valid MA Commission for Blind card ride for free.

FRTA ID’s for those over 60 and for students are preferred, but not necessary, to receive a discounted fare. Riders may purchase an FRTA issued ID at the FRTA Administrative Office for a $3 fee.

Children under 5 ride free with a fare paying adult.

Fare Tickets/ Go Cards!

You can purchase your Go Card! or fare tickets at the John W. Olver Transit Center. Once purchased tickets are not redeemable for cash.

The FRTA Administrative office is located at 12 Olive St. Greenfield MA on the second floor. Fare cards can be purchased in $1, $15 and $25 dollar increments or you can purchase an unlimited monthly fare card for $40 or a reduced fare card for $20. The Administrative office accepts cash, personal check with photo ID or debit/credit card (Visa and MasterCard). Fare cards are then used in the fare box with any remaining value printed on the back of the card.  If using a Go Card, you can check the balance on it by visiting our kiosk located in the downstairs lobby or on our buses.  The kiosk accepts cash or credit card only.

All FRTA buses are equipped with fare boxes that are designed to accept all coins as well as denomination of bills up to $20.00. Change cannot be made on the bus. Let the driver know you are using a larger bill and the fare box can print a stored value fare card that can then be used the next time you board. The proper amount of your fare will be deducted each time. Ask your driver for details.

Each time you ride an FRTA bus, you simply tap your GoCard! on the farebox and ride.

To view the GoCard! brochure, click here.

Transfer Policy 

Customers may transfer for free between connecting FRTA fixed routes at the JWO Transit Center; Avenue A and 3rd St; Avenue A and Hubies Tavern; Avenue A and Shea Theater providing you are utilizing the next available route of your choosing. For example, if you arrive at the JWO at 12:45pm on the Route 21 and wish to use a transfer to board the Route 32, you must board at the next available trip (1:00pm).

Customers may transfer for free between FRTA and MART connecting fixed routes at Hannaford Supermarket on the Athol/Oragne town lines.

Customers may not transfer for free between FRTA and PVTA connecting fixed routes anywhere in the system.

Just ask the bus driver for a transfer before you exit the bus and the driver will give you an electronic transfer from the fare box.  Transfers are included with your unlimited monthly Go Card!

Tired of misplacing or losing your transfers? Don’t want to worry about the timing of your transfers?  Click here to learn more about our GoCard! and to view our brochure.

Fare Box Information

For customers who pay cash fares simply drop the coins in the coin slot or insert a bill in the bill slot.

If you are paying a reduced fare be sure to show your ID to the bus driver before paying the fare. FRTA reduced fare photo ID cards are available from the FRTA Administrative office for $3.00 and are valid for one or three years – depending on the designation of the card.

The fare boxes are designed to accept coins and bills of any denomination up to $20.00 – please note that change is not issued for the difference between your fare and the amount of money you insert in the fare box and the operator of the vehicle does not have access to cash, nor can s/he make change. If you are not using exact change you will receive the difference as a stored value ticket. The balance will print on the card and the ticket can be used toward your fare at a later date.

Transfers and fare cards all have a magnetic stripe on them and are to be inserted into the fare box. The fare cards do not expire, are non-replaceable and non-refundable.

If your magnetic stripe card does not work properly please obtain and complete the Fare Box Error Form from the operator and return it along with the failed card to the operator. S/he will forward the documentation to Management at  Franklin Transit Management, Inc.

Questions & Answers About Fare boxes:

Q: Where can I buy fare tickets or a unlimited monthly Go Card!?

A: At the FRTA office on the second floor of the JWO Transit Center between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Cash, Check or Credit card (please have your photo ID ready when making check and credit card purchases) are accepted for purchases in the office.  You may also purchase your Go Card! and other tickets at our ticketing kiosk located in the downstairs lobby.  

Q: What kind of fare cards/tickets will I be able to buy at the FRTA office?

A: $1, $15 and $25 fare cards will be for sale at the FRTA office as well as our unlimited monthly Go Card ($40 or $20 for reduced fare passengers).

Q: What will the fare box accept for fare?

A: The fare boxes will accept all coins, bills from $1 to $20 dollars and magnetic fare cards/tickets.

Q: Does the fare box give change?

A: No, exact fare should be used. In the event that you do not have exact change, the fare boxes will issue magnetic fare cards that can be used for future trips. These cards, like the fare card, are not redeemable for cash.

Q: Will you replace my lost, stolen or damaged fare card/ticket?

A: No. The FRTA is not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged fare cards/tickets.

Q: Can I exchange my unused fare card/ticket in for a cash refund?

A: No. Once the card is purchased it becomes the property of the holder and refunds are not issued.

Q: Once my fare card is full, will a second card be issued from the farebox indicating what my remaining balance is?

A: Please pay attention to the value left on your card. If the area displaying your remaining balance is limited, notify the operator and the fare box will issue a second card indicating your remaining value. This could take up to 10 seconds to produce.  If using a Go Card, the balance will automatically be deducted from your stored value amount.  Your balance can be checked on the bus or at our ticketing kiosk located in the lobby.  Our unlimited monthly passes are good for 31 days after the first use.

Q: What are the advantages of purchasing a Go Card!?

A:  Each time you ride an FRTA bus, you simply tap your GoCard! on the farebox and ride.  No paper tickets, no keeping track of your balance (if you purchase the monthly card) and you can check your balance or add value to your card by using our ticket kiosk located in our lobby during our facility hours of 7:00am to 7:00pm.  Your Go Card! also includes transfers.