Fares/Fare Policies

Table of Contents

• Fares
• Discount Fare Eligibility
• End of the Line
• Manatee/Sarasota County Transfers
• Route 99 Fares
• 1 Day Unlimited Ride M Card
• 7 Day Unlimited Ride M Card
• 31 Day Unlimited Ride M Card
• 30 Day Unlimited Ride R Card
• Conditions for M Card and R Card Use
• Ticket Vending Machines
• Fare Card Outlets
• Fare Card by Mail
• Security

Fares

Discount Fare Eligibility

To be eligible for a discounted cash fare, M Card, or R Card, one of the following criteria must apply: 60-79 years of age (Seniors 80 years or older ride for free), disabled (with Mobility Card); Medicare card holder. Photo I.D. and proof of age/disability/student status must be provided at point of purchase as well as presented to driver upon request.  At present, 7 and 31 Day Discount M Cards and 30 Day Discount R Cards are only available at the MCAT Ticket Booth and by mail (photocopies of eligibility documents by mail are required).  The 1 Day Discount M Card may only be purchased on the bus,  issued from the fare box.  You must show proof of eligibility to the driver at the time of purchase.  Driver are not authorized to sell discount M Cards without seeing proof of eligibility-no exceptions.  Currently enrolled students at educational facilities within 3/4 mile of a MCAT fixed route are eligible for a discounted 1, 7, 31 Day M Card or 30 Day R Card with valid student I.D.  There is no discounted cash fare for currently enrolled students.

Click for Detailed Definition of our Discount Fare Eligibility

End of the Line

At the final stop of each trip, remaining riders will be asked to exit the bus and pay a new fare to board for the new trip. Exceptions to this policy require the written approval of MCAT's Manager.

Manatee/Sarasota County Transfers

SCAT does not issue transfers at any time. MCAT transfers are neither issued, nor accepted while in Sarasota County. MCAT transfers issues in Manatee County are for transit in Manatee County only.

Route 99 Fares

The fare paid on Route 99 depends on in which county you board regardless of whether you board an MCAT or SCAT vehicle. Verify the exact fare with the driver. SCAT bus passes are not accepted in Manatee County and vice versa. When riding Route 99 or the Longboat Key Trolley, you may have to pay your cash fare even if you have a current bus pass. Note: The R Card is valid on all routes in both counties.

1 Day Unlimited Ride M Card

MCAT offers a 1 Day M Card unlimited ride pass for $3. The discount 1 Day M Card unlimited ride pass is $1.50 (see "Discount Fare Eligibility" above) Purchase this M Card directly from a ticket vending machine or the fare box on any transit bus (1 Day discount M Cards may only be purchase on the bus, not at the ticket booth or other ticket outlets). Then ride MCAT unlimited for the 24 hour period imprinted on the pass. Don't worry about paying for transfers... just swipe and go!

7 Day Unlimited Ride M Card

MCAT also offers a 7 Day M Card unlimited ride pass for $15. The discount 7 Day M Card unlimited ride pass is $7.50 (see "Discount Fare Eligibility" above). Ride MCAT as much as you need for 7 calendar days from the first date you activate you M Card in an MCAT fare box. As with any unlimited ride M Cards, don't worry about paing for transfers...just swipe and go!

31 Day Unlimited Ride M Card

The regular 31 Day M Card unlimited ride pass is $30. The discounted 31 Day M Card unlimited ride pass is $15 (see "Discount Fare Eligilbility" above). Remember, the 31 days are counted from the first date you activate the M Card by using it in the fare box. Transfers are not required when using an unlimited ride M Card. Just swipe and go!

30 Day Unlimited Ride R Card

For those riders that utilize transit services in both Manatee and Sarasota counties, MCAT offers a regional fare card (R Card) for the benefit of unlimited rides on both the MCAT and Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) transit systems. The regular 30 Day R Card unlimited ride pass is $60. The discounted 30 Day R Card unlimited ride pass is $30 (see "Discount Fare Eligilbility" above). The 30 calendar days begin on the first day you activate your R Card. No need for transfers...just swipe and go.

Conditions for M Card and R Card Use

Ticket Vending Machines

Ticket Vending Machines (TVM) offer the convenience of purchasing either 1 Day, 7 Day or 31 Day M Cards or a 30 Day R Card by using cash or credit card. TVMs are available at the transit stations during all business hours. Discount cards cannot be purchased at a TVM and must be purchased at Sales and Information offices (see "Fare Card Outlets" below). TVMs are user friendly with instructions in both English and Spanish. If you need a fare card now, TVMs are the way to go! 

Fare Card Outlets

MCAT Sales and Information Offices

Downtown Bradenton,

Manatee County Courthouse,

12th Street West at Manatee Avenue,

M-F, 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m

DeSoto Station,

820 301 Boulevard West, Bradenton

M-F, 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

TVM Available

Palmetto Station,

1802 8th Avenue West, Palmetto

TVM Only

Sales and Information offices hours subject to change. Please, no bills over $20. Checks accepted with appropriate identification. M Cards/R Cards purchased with checks returned for insufficient funds will be deactivated.

Goodwill Stores,

5512 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton and 7501 Bradenton Road, Sarasota

Discount Fare Cards not available.

Fare Card by Mail

To receive the M Card or R Card by mail, please click on the link below:

Security

All Manatee County Area Transit vehicles and facilites are monitored by MCAT staff presence and 24 hours 7 days a week electronic surveillance systems.