METS to Modernize Fare Collections

WNIN | By John Gibson

Published March 12, 2026 at 1:34 PM CDT

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A Metropolitan Evansville Mass Transit System (METS) bus pauses at the Evansville METS station during a route, Thursday, March 12. The system will soon overhaul the way riders pay fare.

Evansville's city buses will soon allow riders to pay with a credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet

Evansville’s city buses will soon have a new “tap” system for collecting fares. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:

The city has announced a five-year agreement with Matawan that will allow riders to pay with a debit or credit card, mobile wallet, or cash on 29 buses and 21 METS routes.

The new fare-collection system is expected to go live this summer.

Evansville Transportation and Services Director Todd Robertson calls it a “significant milestone in the evolution of city transit.”

He also says the system will allow METS to sell bus passes through a third-party vender in the future, if needed.

METS says the new fare system will automatically ensure riders never pay more than the daily or weekly pass price, regardless of how often they tap.

Current METS buses are outfitted with machines that only accept cash. The modernized system will accept cash, cards and mobile wallet formats.