How to Pay Your Fare on VCTC Intercity
How to Pay Your Fare on VCTC Intercity
Introducing Tap2Ride, Ventura County’s new contactless fare payment system, allowing you to pay fares on VCTC Intercity Bus routes with Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards.
✅ Active as of June 23, 2025
How to Use Tap2Ride
- Look for the yellow payment reader when you board.
- Tap your contactless card, phone, or watch on the symbol.
- Wait for the green “GO!” screen.
Accepted Payments
🍎 Apple Pay
🤖 Google / Samsung Pay
Fares by Zone
$1.75
$0.80
$4.00
$2.00
* Important for Reduced Fares: You must register your card to get the discount.
Why use Tap2Ride?
- “Pay as you go” daily caps (Ride free after limit)
- No exact change or special cards needed
- 1 Free Transfer (within 2 hours)
Security & Support
Uses secure EMV® chip technology. VCTC does not store or sell your data.
Need Help? Call 1-800-438-1112
Contactless Smartcard & Mobile App
Save 10% on fares when using Stored Value!
✅ Accepted Agencies
VCbuspass is accepted on most transit across the county:
Gold Coast Transit
Valley Express
Simi Valley Transit
Thousand Oaks Transit
Ojai Trolley
Moorpark Transit
Camarillo Area (Stored Value Only)
How to Use
- Tap & Go: Tap card or phone on the reader when boarding.
- Auto-Deduct: The correct fare is deducted automatically.
- Flexible: Works with physical card OR the Umo Mobility App.
- Transfers: Automatic when using the same card/device.
Fares & Options
Available Fare Types:
- 31-Day Passes: Unlimited rides for 31 days.
- Stored Value: “Pay As You Go” cash balance.
- 10% Discount: Applied automatically to cash fares when using Stored Value.
Where to Buy & Reload
📱 Online & Mobile
🏢 In-Person Locations
Cash Only
Cash Only
Cash, Credit
Cash, Check, Credit
Call for details
Call for details
Each rider must use their own card or app. No group tap-ins allowed.
💵 Pay with Exact Change
Cash Fares
🎓 Student Riders
- Youth Ride Free: Ages 18 & under (or HS students over 18) ride free with School ID.
- College Ride Free: Students at participating colleges ride free with valid Student ID.
Transfers
Paper Transfers
Valid for one ride within 2 hours of purchase.
- Ask the Driver: You MUST request a transfer when you board the first bus.
- Zone 2 Upcharge: Transferring to a regional route costs extra ($1.50 Full / $0.75 Reduced).
- VCbuspass Users: No paper needed; transfers are automatic.
Ride Free in Ventura County
FAQ - How Tap2Ride Works
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Intercity service offers credit and debit card fare payment technology on its buses. We have compiled this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to share information about this payment framework.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Bank Cards: Contactless Visa & Mastercard.
- Mobile Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay.
Yes, other methods are still accepted! You can still use:
- Cash (Exact Change)
- VCbuspass & Single Ride Tickets
- Valid Free Fare Programs
How to Pay on the Bus
- Spot the Reader: Look for the yellow device at the front of the bus.
- Tap Your Card/Phone: Hold your device or card over the Contactless Symbol below the screen.
- Wait for Green: Once you see the green “GO!” screen, your fare is paid.
Troubleshooting & Options
Why isn’t my card working?
- New Card: It may need activation. If it fails, contact your bank.
- Declined: Your account may not have enough funds.
- Damaged/Expired: Check the expiration date or chip condition.
- Unsupported: Only Visa & Mastercard are accepted currently (No Amex/Discover yet).
Don’t have a contactless card?
- Use Your Phone: Add existing cards to Apple/Google Wallet.
- Apps: Order a free contactless debit card via Cash App, PayPal, or Venmo.
- Find Low-Cost Banking Options →
We partner with Bank On to help you find affordable accounts.
Is it Secure?
Yes. Tap-to-pay transactions use the same secure networks as inserting a chip card.
- Built on secure EMV® Chip technology to reduce fraud.
- Generates a dynamic, one-time code for every tap (just like inserting a card).
- Protects your payment info and authorizes the transaction instantly.
Rules & Costs
🔄 Do I need to tap on every bus?
YES. To use your free transfer, you must tap on the next bus.
- First Tap: You are charged the fare.
- Next Tap (within 2 hours): The system recognizes your card and gives you a FREE transfer automatically.
🚫 Are there extra fees?
No. There are absolutely no additional fees for using Tap2Ride.
You pay the exact same standard fare as cash users. Plus, you get access to Monthly Fare Capping discounts automatically when you use the same card.
What will I be charged?
Fare Capping (Pay-As-You-Go)
What is it?
Fare capping is a discount that ensures you never pay more than a 31-Day Pass, no matter how many times you ride. You don’t need to pay $50 or $130 upfront—just pay per ride until you hit the limit!
How it works:
- Pay for each trip as you go.
- Once you reach the Cap Limit (see below) within 31 days, the rest of your rides are FREE.
- Crucial Rule: You MUST use the exact same card/device for every tap to track your progress.
Monthly Cap Limits
Reduced & Free Fares
You can receive reduced fares on Tap2Ride, but you must register your card first.
Zone 1: $0.80 | Zone 2: $2.00
Security & Privacy
🔒 Is Tap2Ride Secure?
YES. Your payments are safe.
- Bank-Grade Security: Transactions use the exact same secure networks as any Visa or Mastercard payment.
- Fraud Protection: We use EMV® Chip technology, which generates a unique, one-time code for every tap to prevent counterfeit fraud.
Is my data private?
Absolutely. VCTC Intercity does not store, sell, or share your personal data. All payment information is handled according to strict Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards.
Does my bank see my travel history?
No. Just like buying a coffee, your card issuer only sees the amount of the transaction, not your specific travel details or route history.
Important Rules
👥 Can I pay for friends/family?
NO.
Each rider must have their own card.
1 Person = 1 Card.
💳 The “Same Card” Rule
YES.
You must use the exact same card or device for every tap.
Transfers (Valid for 2 Hours)
Fixing Fare Issues
Step 1: Check Your History
Suspect an incorrect charge? View your full travel history and payments online first.
Step 2: Dispute a Charge
If you still see an error after checking your history, our support team can help fix it.
Availability & Expansion
WHERE IS IT NOW?
VCTC Intercity Buses Only
COMING SOON
Countywide Expansion
Your ride is just one tap away with Tap2Ride
