The Sioux Area Metro (SAM) transit buses will have new fare boxes when service begins on Monday, July 26.

The fare boxes will still take cash fare for the exact amount only but will also take fare cards. The fare cards will be sold at The Bus Stop downtown or at the transit facility on the corner of Sixth Street and Weber Avenue. Some fare card options will eventually be available at all Lewis Drug stores and at the Empire Mall Guest Services counter as well.

The fare card options include a 1-day card for $3.00, a 7-day card for $10.00, a 10-ride card for $8.50, and a 30-day card for $25.00. Except for 1-day cards that are purchased on the bus, the fare card is not validated until the first time it is used in the fare box. For instance, the 30-day time frame for a 30-day card does not start until validated by the fare box the first time it is used. If you want to purchase a 1-day card, but do not want to use it that day, the card will need to be purchased at The Bus Stop downtown or at the Transit administrative office.

With the new fare options, the paper transfers used to transfer to a different bus to get to your destination will be eliminated. However, the transfers will continue through a transition period until July 31. Current bus tickets, purchased in sheets of ten, will be accepted through the month of August but will no longer be available for purchase after July 31. The July monthly pass will be accepted through July 31, 2010.

To assist the passengers in making the transition to the new fare boxes, Transit staff will be available at The Bus Stop downtown during the week starting July 26 to demonstrate to riders how to use the new fare boxes.