Valley Metro Copper Cards

Now that Valley Metro has proper reloadable transit cards with the introduction of Copper Cards, they have taken the opportunity to release several limited edition, commemorative cards. On this page, I will attempt to document all of them in chronological order as they continue to be released, along with all the standard variants.

Regular Copper Cards

Name	Dates	Cost	Locations	Details
Regular	August 19, 2024 - Present	$4	Any Valley Metro fare machine, Transit Center customer service window, authorized fare outlet	Standard card for the general public.
Reduced	August 19, 2024 - Present	Free	Online, Transit Center customer service windows, Mobility Center	Reduced fare cards are available to eligible youth, seniors, people with a disability, and Medicare card holders. Eligible users must register for a reduced fare account.
Platinum	August 19, 2024 - Present	Varies	Distributed through employers or purchased as an ASU student	Platinum cards are given to organizations and businesses that cover transit costs for their employees, residents, etc. They are also issued to Arizona State University students under Student U-Pass program.
Social Services/Limited Use Card/Special Events Pass	August 19, 2024 - Present	Varies	Organizations, assigned fare machines, retailers, bundled with an event ticket	Social Services and limited use cards are distributed to clients for transportation to and from important non-recreational activities by organizations. The special events pass uses the same design and is issued as requested by special events.
ADA Platinum	August 19, 2024 - Present	Free	Valley Metro Mobility Center	Distributed to ADA-eligible riders after applying and visiting Valley Metro's mobility center for an assessment.
A+	August 19, 2024 - Present	Free	Participating schools	Distributed to students at participating schools.
City of Tempe Youth Transit Pass	August 19, 2024 - Present	Free	Tempe Transit Store	Distributed to childern ages 6 to 18 who live in Tempe or Guadalupe.

Commemorative Copper Cards

Name	Dates	Cost	Locations	Details
Cruisin' Central	June 7, 2025	Free	Baseline/Central Ave Park and Ride, Ed Pastor Transit Center, Downtown Phoenix Hub	This was the first commemorative card design and was only available to those who attended the South Central light rail extension festivies on opening day. Cards were preloaded with $4 in fares.
Happy Holidays 2025	November 21, 2025 - Until supplies last	$4	Fare machines at Gilbert Rd/Main St, Mill Ave/3rd St, Washington/Central, Central/Camelback, Baseline/Central, Metro Parkway	Distributed to celebrate the 2025 winter holidays.
Nick Erickson Artsline	March 4, 2026 - May 31, 2026	$4	Transit Center customer service windows & fare machines at Center/Main St, Mill Ave/3rd St, Roosevelt/Central, Central/Camelback, Southern/Central	A collaboration with Artsline Spotlight Artist Nick Erickson, timed with Art Detour, to celebrate the region's arts community.
America's 250th Anniversary	June 22, 2026 - Until supplies last	Free, but with minimum $2 fare load required	Transit Center customer service windows & select community events*	Distributed to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary. *Cards distributed at community events included $4 in preloaded fares
DTPHX Ride the Rail	July 1, 2026 - Present	Free	DTPHX Ambassadors, Valley Metro Customer Experience Representatives, Valley Metro Customer Service desk at the Downtown Phoenix Information Center	Distributed as a partnership between Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Valley Metro to support businesses in Downtown Phoenix. Participating businesses offer discounts and promotions to customers who show this Copper Card.

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