Pay With Phone
Sioux Area Metro has partnered with Token Transit to offer a new way to purchase and use bus passes on your smartphone!
Token Transit offers an alternative to using cash by using your smartphone as a digital bus pass. Customers can use an online payment to purchase SAM single ride and monthly passes from anywhere! Passes can be purchased for immediate use, or if you're planning ahead, they can be stored on Token Transit for future trips on SAM.
How It Works
After installing Token Transit, follow the on-screen instructions to buy a bus pass or follow the instructions in the video below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Token Transit?
Token Transit is a mobile ticketing application that lets you pay for and ride public transit with your phone. With the Token Transit app, you purchase, activate and board using just your phone.
How does it work?
- Download Token Transit on your phone
- Enter your cell phone number to create an account
- Select Sioux Area Metro (SAM)
- Select the ticket/pass option you want
- Add credit/debit card information
- When you’re ready to board the bus, activate ticket/pass
- Show confirmation on phone to bus driver
Is my phone supported?
Token Transit supports iOS and Android phones. Your phone will need to have cellular data or Wi-Fi connectivity to purchase and activate passes. Boarding does not require an internet connection. You will need storage space on your device for the app as well as downloaded ticket information.
Do I have to purchase the Token Transit app?
No. Token Transit is free to download.
What is fare capping?
Fare capping will be available via the Token Transit app only. Fare capping limits how much riders pay for their trips in a day, week, or 30-day period. Once pass purchases and activations in a day, week or 30-day period add up to the value of a higher-value pass, riders will automatically be provided the higher-value pass to use for the remaining time period. Not available on multi-day or ride tickets (7-day or 10-ride). Passes must be activated to be considered for fare capping.
Example: I ride the bus four times in a day. I normally would purchase and activate four ride passes at $1.50 per ride, which would equal $6. When I go to activate my third ride on the Token Transit app, I would automatically be upgraded to the day pass, which is only $3. I would be refunded the $1.50 that I paid for the third ride.
How do I set up my account and purchase fares?
After downloading Token Transit, create an account using your phone number. If you allow Token Transit to use your location, it will connect you to the nearest public transit system. SAM should automatically appear in the app. Add your credit or debit card to make purchases within the app.
I don't have a credit or debit card. Can I go to the SAM Depot or Office, Lewis Drug or other locations with cash or a check to pay for and load passes onto the app?
Token Transit only accepts credit or debit cards for payment. You can purchase ticket(s)/pass(es) with cash or check at the SAM Depot or Office and have the ticket(s)/pass(es) added to your phone. Lewis Drug only offers physical tickets at this time and will not load tickets/passes purchased there onto your phone.
Bus fare is available to purchase at the following Lewis Drug locations:
Will I pay an increased fare by using Token Transit?
No. Prices do not change based on payment method.
Is Token Transit required? Does Token Transit replace SAM’s current payment methods?
No. Token Transit is voluntary to use. For information on where and how to purchase fares, visit our Fares and Passes page.
What tickets/passes are available to purchase on Token Transit?
- 1 Ride: Valid for one regular ride. Ticket will display for 10 minutes after activation.
- 1 Day: 1-Day passes are valid for unlimited use until midnight on the day of activation.
- 7 Day: 7-Day passes are valid for 7 consecutive days after first activation until midnight on the 7th day.
- 10 Ride: Pack of ten 1-ride passes. Each pass is valid for 10 minutes after activation.
- 30 Day: Passes are valid for 30 consecutive days after first activation until midnight on the 30th day.
Individuals eligible for discounted fares, including seniors (65+), persons with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and individuals using paratransit, can also purchase tickets/passes using Token Transit. Show your eligibility card/ID with your mobile confirmation when boarding the bus.
Individuals do not need to reapply for an eligibility card to use Token Transit.