Société de transport de Montréal (Back to home)

Other fare media

If you don’t have an OPUS card, you can buy transit fares on Occasional smart cards or magnetic fare cards. Both these kinds of cards are free.

Publication date: October 6, 2026

Key points

  • Occasional smart cards and magnetic fare cards are non-reloadable and don’t cost an extra fee. 
  • You can load certain fares on these cards at authorized points of sale, métro station fare booths, and fare vending machines.
  • When you pay a bus fare in cash, you receive a magnetic fare card that you can use to make transfers.

Occasional smart card

Occasional cards are free non-reloadable smart cards. They can be used to hold and validate transit fares and make transfers.

Fares available on Occasional smart cards

You can buy these fares on Occasional smart cards:

  • 1-trip, All Modes A, AB, ABC and ABCD 
  • 2-trip, All Modes A, AB, ABC and ABCD 
  • 10-trip, All Modes AB, ABC and ABCD 
  • Unlimited Evening
  • 24-hour, All Modes A, AB, ABC and ABCD 
  • Unlimited Weekend
  • 3-day, All Modes A

Occasional smart cards cannot be shared by multiple people travelling together.

How to use an Occasional smart card

  1. Hold your fare card up to the card reader, located on the fare box on buses and on the turnstile in the métro.
  2. A light and a beep will confirm that your fare has been validated.
  3. Keep your Occasional smart card on you for transfers and as proof of payment.

Magnetic fare card

Magnetic fare cards are free, non-reloadable tickets. They can be used to validate transit fares and make transfers. 

Fares available on magnetic fare cards

You can buy these fares on magnetic fare cards:

  • 1-trip, All Modes A
  • Group Fare

How to use a magnetic fare card on the bus

  1. Insert your ticket into the slot on the fare box.
  2. A light and a beep will confirm your fare has been validated.
  3. Take your ticket back and keep it on you for transfers and as proof of payment.


How to use a magnetic fare card on the métro

  1. Insert your ticket into the red slot on the turnstile.
  2. A light and a beep will confirm your fare has been validated.
  3. Take your ticket back and keep it on you for transfers and as proof of payment