TCAT Fares
An adult single-ride Zone 1 fare is $1.50 and an adult single-ride Zone 2 fare is $2.50.
The TCAT service area is divided into two fare zones. If you board in Zone 1, you pay a Zone 1 fare, no matter how far you are going. If you board in Zone 2, in the inbound direction (toward Ithaca) you pay the Zone 2 fare, no matter how fare you are going. Effective Jan. 12, 2014, if you board in Zone 2, in the outbound direction (away from Ithaca), TCAT does not charge a fare.
Exception: All trips on Route 53 require a fare.
Frequently Asked Question
Q. May I use a Zone 1 pass in Zone 2 (inbound) if I put extra cash farebox?
A. No. Due to the way the TCAT farebox is structured, passengers will not be able to use cash in addition to a Zone 1 pass to pay for a Zone 2 fare.
The more per‑day and per‑ride passes TCAT passengers buy, the more they save, as historically been the case with TCAT’s fare structure. As an example, a yearly Zone 2 pass amounts to only $1.65 a day as opposed to a one‑time $4 day pass – a substantial savings!
Fare Structure
Cash Fare, Single Ride You pay
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2 (inbound)
Adult (ages 18-59)………………………………………. $1.50………$2.50
Youth (ages 6-17) ………………………………………. $0.75………$1.25
Child (5 and under)………………………………………..Free………..Free
Half-fare (seniors age 60+)………………………………$0.75………$1.25
Half-fare Medicare / persons w/ disability ……………..$0.75………$1.25
Exact Change Only
Drivers are unable to make change so you must have the exact fare. Dollar bills and coins are accepted. No pennies please.
Tcard Deals
The more rides or consecutive days of riding you purchase on your Tcard at one time, the more you save on your per-ride or per-day cost.
If you Purchase: You Pay:
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2
1-14 adult rides…………………………………….. $1.50 / ride……$2.50 / ride
15+ adult rides……………………………………… $1.33 / ride……$2.25/ride
1-6 consecutive days……………………………….. $3.00 / day……$4.00 /day
7-30 consecutive days………………………………. $2.50 /day…….$3.33 /day
31-364 consecutive days…………………………… $1.50 /day……..$2.00 /day
365+ consecutive days………………………………. $1.25 /day…….$1.65 /day
Ride Card Options
Each ride is a one-way trip. A round-trip would cost two rides. Rides do not expire.
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2
15 Ride card…………………………………………….. $20………….$33
Half-fare 15 Ride card…………………………………. $10………….$17
Seniors (age 60+)/ persons w/ disability / Medicare
Youth 15 Ride card……………………………………….$10………….$17
Youth (age 6-17)
Day Pass Options
By-the-Day passes are good for unlimited rides on consecutive days beginning the first day the pass is used.
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2
1 Day pass………………………………………………. $3……………$4
2 Day pass………………………………………………. $6……………$8
5 Day pass………………………………………………. $15………….$20
Weekly pass…………………………………………….. $17.50………$23
Monthly pass…………………………………………….. $45………….$60
Annual pass……………………………… …………….. $450…………$600
Youth Passes
The Youth Semester Pass is good for unlimited rides each semester on any TCAT bus
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2
Youth Fall Semester
August 15 – January 31……………………………. $30………….$40
Youth Spring Semester
February 1 – June 30…………………………………… $30………….$40
Youth Summer Fun
June 27 – September 6………………………………… $50…………..$65
Passes for College Students
Use your student ID at the farebox. Enjoy special pricing and added convenience by having bus privileges loaded right onto your student ID card. It’s important to note that it may take 2-3 days for your new bus pass to work on the bus. In the meantime, please carry an alternate fare.
College Student Rates
TC3
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2
TC3 Student Unlimited ……………………………….. N/A………….$170
Semester Pass (fall or spring)
TC3 Student Basic (limited) ………………………….. N/A………….$110
Semester Pass (fall or spring)
TC3 Student Unlimited ……………………………….. N/A…………..$85
Semester Pass (summer)
TC3 Student Basic (limited) ……………………………. N/A…………..$55
Semester Pass (summer)
Ithaca College
Fare Type Zone 1 Zone 2
IC Student 15-ride pass ………………………………$15…………..$20
IC Student Monthly Pass …………………………….. $30…………..$40
IC Student Semester Pass (fall or spring)…………. $110…………$145
IC Student Semester Pass (summer)……………….. $45…………..$60
All IC employees are eligible for free TCAT service.
For more information, click:
http://www.ithaca.edu/hr/benefits/otherbens/?item=623
Cornell University
All registered Cornell students receive unlimited rides on all TCAT buses after 6 p.m. weekdays, and anytime Saturday and Sunday. Students pay no fare when using their CU ID card at the fare box. Please note: Students must remain registered in order for their privileges to remain active. The CU photo ID card is the fare medium and must be presented at the fare box-and read electronically-in order to ride at no cost.
OmniRide
Purchase OmniRide and use your CU ID card at the fare box for unlimited rides on all TCAT buses any time they run, anywhere they go in Tompkins County. OmniRide is sold only by Cornell Transportation Services.
• Students who purchase an FH resident housing parking permit automatically receive OmniRide for no additional fee.
• Student spouses with a CU ID can purchase OmniRide in the Transportation Services office at 116 Maple Ave.
• Students must remain registered in order for their privileges to remain active.
OmniRide Purchase Options
OmniRide is sold only by Transportation Services, online at www.myparking.cornell.edu or at 116 Maple Avenue.
• Full-year OmniRide (valid through 8/31)……………………………………………………… $200
Only registered students can use the online system to purchase an OmniRide pass.
Refunds
There are no refunds issued on OmniRide pass privileges canceled after March 31.
Cornell employees also have TCAT privileges.
Click for more information about TCAT bus privileges and OmniRide passes.
Transfers
If more than one bus route is needed to get you to your destination, transfer slips are available at no additional cost. You should request a transfer from the Bus Operator when you pay the fare or use a transfer slip. Riders are allowed up to two transfers to complete their trip. Transfers are good for a continuous one way trip on the day of issue and will only be honored on the next available bus. They will not be accepted on any trip that will return the passenger to the area in which the transfer was originally issued, nor to re-board the same route.
Day or semester pass holders do not need a transfer slip. Simply swipe your card again.
Youth Passes
High school students with valid student ID and youth ages 6 to 17 are eligible.
Home-schooled students over 17 years of age should contact TCAT customer service at 277-7433. The Youth Semester Pass is good for unlimited rides each semester on any TCAT bus.
Children
Children five years old and under ride free and must be accompanied by a responsible adult (up to three children per adult).
TCAT Military Personnel Fare Policy
Active Duty Military and Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) students – demonstrating military service either by being dressed in official U.S.-issued military formal or informal uniform and/or with a current military ID – ride free.
Half-fare for Senior Citizens, Medicare cardholders and Persons w/ Disabilities
Persons 60 years old or older, medicare cardholders, persons with a disability and those currently receiving SSI, SSD, or disabled veterans benefits are eligible to pay half-fare on the TCAT bus. (This does not apply to Gadabout or ADA paratransit services.) The bus operator may ask for proof of eligibility. Acceptable forms of proof of eligibility are your Medicare card, Senior Citizen’s Discount Card, drivers’ license or your TCAT half-fare identification card (purple card). Click Here for more information.
If you have a disability that prevents you from using the TCAT bus, then you may be eligible for complementary paratransit, a specialized, door-to-door transport service for people who are not able to ride the fixed-route transit system because of a disability. Click here for more information.