Source: https://mst.org/fares/ (fetched 2026-06-12)
MST accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express contactless-enabled bank cards and mobile wallets onboard all buses – and with fare capping, you will never be charged more than $6 per day, $20 per week, or $70 per month no matter how many times you ride in a day—as long as you pay with the same contactless debit/credit card or mobile wallet each time you ride. (visit Benefits page for details about tapping and discounted fares) Transfers If you need to transfer and are paying with cash or a GoPass, request a 2-hour pass from your driver when boarding your first bus. If you are paying with a contactless payment method, simply tap it on the contactless payment reader on each bus you board and you will only be charged $2 no matter how many times you tap and transfer within that 2-hour window.
Single Ride 2 hours Cash or GoCard Daily GoPass valid until 2:00 AM Weekly GoPass (7 Days) Monthly GoPass (31 Days) Regular Fixed Route $ 2.00 $ 6.00 $ 20.00 $ 70.00 Discount Fixed Route $ 1.00 $ 3.00 $ 10.00 $ 35.00 — Contactless Payment Single Ride 2 hours Daily valid until 2:00 AM Weekly (7 Days) Monthly (31 Days) Regular Fixed Route $ 2.00 $ 6.00 $ 20.00 $ 70.00 Discount Fixed Route $ 1.00 $ 3.00 $ 10.00 $ 35.00
Discount fare for: 18 years and under 65 years and older (see also: Benefits ) Individuals with disabilities Medicare Card holders (see also: Benefits ) Veterans (see also: Benefits ), Veteran’s spouse/caregiver MST RIDES Paratransit Eligibility card holders Special Humanitarian Parole Proof of age, an MST Courtesy Card ( English application / Spanish application ) or Medicare Card is required upon boarding. MST also honors discount courtesy cards issued by other transit systems. Veterans may obtain an MST Courtesy Card ( English application / Spanish application ) with the following proof of service: DD Form 214 DD Form 256N US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card Veterans of Foreign Wars ID card Membership card from the American Legion Disabled American Veterans ID card CA driver license or ID card with “veteran” designation” Contactless payment methods , cash, GoPasses, and GoCards can be used on all fixed route MST buses. Please have your payment ready when you board. The coach operator may ask to see proof of eligibility for a discounted fare (Individuals 18 years and under, 65 years and older, individuals with disabilities, and Medicare Card holders). GoPasses and GoCards can be purchased directly from MST, online, by phone or in person any MST customer service location. GoPasses may also be purchased at pass outlets throughout the county. See the pass outlets page for specific locations.
MST now accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express contactless-enabled bank cards and mobile wallets. At this time, accepted mobile wallets include: Apple Pay , Google Pay, Samsung Pay , and Fitbit Pay . For more information, visit our Contactless Fare Payment Fast Facts and FAQs . Cash Cash is inserted into the farebox. Exact fare is not required. If you do not have exact fare the farebox will issue credit for use on future MST trips.
GoPasses are non-refundable and are available in monthly, weekly and daily options. The first time you use your GoPass, remember to insert it in the slot on the top left of the farebox with the front side of the pass facing you. This will activate your pass and print the dates the pass is valid so you will know when it is time to purchase a new one. After inserting the pass the first time you use it, the pass is swiped through the magnetic strip reader slot when boarding on subsequent trips.
The GoCard is a stored value card. Passengers can add value to their card at any time by visiting an MST customer service location and use it like a debit card when riding the bus. The GoCard allows for speedy boarding. Simply tap your card on the farebox below the digital screen and the appropriate fare will be deducted. Plus passengers receive an additional 10% value each time the card is reloaded! For example, load your card with $20 and receive $22 value on your GoCard. Use the card when you need it, save the value when you don’t. $10 minimum purchase required.
Courtesy Cards are available to all disabled individuals free of charge with a physician’s written verification or a Medicare Card. Use the card for discounted fares and passes as proof of eligibility. Obtain an application in person at the MST Bus Stop Shop, 201 Pearl Street in Monterey, Marina Transit Exchange, 280 Reservation Road in Marina, Salinas Transit Center, 110 Salinas Street in Salinas, or here ( English application / Spanish application ).
Hartnell students ride FREE on all routes with a valid photo student ID during the Fall and Spring semesters. MPC students ride FREE on all routes with a valid photo student ID during the Fall and Spring semesters. CSUMB students ride FREE on all routes with a valid photo student ID during the Fall and Spring semesters.
For credentialed access to the following military installations: Presidio of Monterey Naval Post Graduate School Valid military credentials are required for access to all military bases. Transit riders without credentials will be required to deboard at a bus stop before the security gate. In some cases, the bus stop may be located miles before entry to the base. For military pass information, please contact the Presidio of Monterey, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS) 831-242-3983, Bldg. 418. Naval Postgraduate School Travel Office (831) 656-2041 Purchase passes for Naval Postgraduate School (password required)
For your convenience, MST GoPasses are available at MST Customer Service locations and pass outlet locations throughout your community. Carmel Carmel Drug Store, San Carlos & Ocean Gonzales City Hall, 147 Fourth St. Greenfield City Hall, 45 El Camino Real King City City Hall, 212 S. Vanderhurst Ave. Marina Marina Transit Exchange, 280 Reservation Road Monterey MST Bus Stop Shop, 201 Pearl Street Salinas Costco, 1339 N. Davis Rd. (Regular GoPass only) Salinas Transit Center, 110 Salinas Street Sand City Costco, 801 Tioga Ave. (Regular GoPass only) Seaside Mal’s Market, 1264 Noche Buena Gopasses and Gocards may also be purchased anytime online at the MST Store , by phone at 1-888-MST-BUS1 (1-888-678-2871) or by mail by sending your check, credit card information or money order to: GoPasses, 19 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200, Monterey, CA 93940.
The Monterey-Salinas Transit Group Discount Program provides 31 Day MST GoPasses at reduced costs. Based on the number of GoPasses your organization orders, participants can enjoy substantially reduced costs – making riding the bus an outstanding benefit. For more information, or to enroll, please complete the application or call 1-888-MST-BUS1 (1-888-678-2871). 5-20 GoPasses – 25% Discount Monthly GoPass – $52.00 21+ GoPasses – 35% Discount Monthly GoPass – $45.00 Enrolled Group Discount participants, please click here to place your order . Group discount rates for residential complexes serving the elderly and disabled Participating residential complexes, please click here to place your order . Residential housing complexes serving the elderly and disabled have the ability to pre-purchase monthly bus passes in bulk at a 50% discount should the complex pay upfront for a full year of passes for all of their residents. This would make the Monthly GoPass $210.00 per resident annually ($17.50 per month). New! MST’s board of directors recently approved an expansion of the residential complex rate to include developments where 50% or more of the residents meet qualifying criteria of low-income, farm worker and/or other similar disadvantaged group. This program allows residential housing complexes to pre-purchase monthly bus passes in bulk at a 50% discount should the housing complex pay for a full year of passes for all of their units. This arrangement makes the GoPass $210.00 per unit annually or $17.50 per month.