Brownsville B-Metro Introduces Mobile Fare

The City of Brownsville’s MultiModal Transportation Department is revolutionizing the way commuters pay for their bus rides. B-Metro has launched a new mobile fare and Smart Card system, making bus travel more convenient and efficient for passengers.

“The Smart Card and Mobile Fare is an easier way for passengers to pay their fare. They will be able to reload their card. The card’s more durable. It’s like a credit card. It’s faster. It’s more convenient for the passenger. They don’t have to carry cash,” said Simon Ortiz, Transit Manager for B-Metro.

Passengers can now tap their Smart Card at the bus’s fare box to pay for their rides. The Smart Cards, similar in size and durability to a credit card, offer a more reliable and swift payment option compared to traditional cash.

Additionally, passengers can download the B-Metro mobile fare app from the Apple Store or Google Play. “They download it, they don’t even have to come to the office. They can add the fare to the phone with a credit card; it’s a secure payment. It allows them the convenience of paying the fare on the phone,” Ortiz explained.

To encourage adoption, B-Metro is offering free unloaded Smart Cards at the La Plaza at Brownsville Terminal, located at 755 International Boulevard, until July 31st. Starting August 1st, these cards will be available for purchase at $5. Interested passengers need to visit the B-Metro station to sign up for the Smart Card.

B-Metro, the largest bus transportation system in the Rio Grande Valley, serves 1.2 million passengers annually. “We are the first agency in the Valley to use mobile fare and Smart Cards. Others are going to be launching, but we are the first ones ready to go and live,” Ortiz proudly stated.

This new payment system represents a significant step forward in enhancing the public transportation experience in Brownsville, providing passengers with a faster, more convenient, and secure way to pay for their bus rides.