Platinum Pass for Transit

Riding transit can save you time and money. Each day, hundreds of state employees climb aboard a Valley Metro bus or light rail and enjoy a quiet and relaxing commute. Valley Metro Local, Express, and RAPID buses and light rail can get you to work without the hassle of traffic, often quicker than driving alone. Valley Metro’s website offers a variety of trip planning tools at www.ValleyMetro.org. Valley Metro also offers a smartphone app that allows you to plan your trip and track your bus or light rail in real time. You can also contact a Valley Metro route specialist directly at 602.253.5000. 

Please note: the Platinum Pass is only available to state employees in Maricopa County. Contractors are not eligible to participate in the program. 

Platinum Pass Pilot Program

Capitol Rideshare launched a pilot program that offers a fully subsidized Platinum Pass to state employees for six months, beginning on June 1, 2022, subject to the ongoing availability of funding. During the pilot program, Capitol Rideshare staff analyzed the ridership data and associated costs and determined there is funding available to continue the fully subsidized program through the end of fiscal year 2023. Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) leadership has approved extending the pilot program through June 30, 2024. Staff will keep employees up-to-date regarding any plans to extend the program and will notify employees prior to the pilot program conclusion.

Platinum Pass Subsidy Program

NOTE: The employee copayments will be suspended during the pilot program as noted above.

The state offers a transit subsidy to non-university state employees working in Maricopa County who sign up for the Platinum Pass; contractors and interns are not eligible. There is no fee to apply for the pass. Users only pay per ride. The current subsidy rate is 50 percent of the fare, up to half the cost of a monthly pass. Charges are capped once that monthly pass rate is reached. The remainder of the cost (the employee’s share) is automatically paid through a payroll deduction the second pay period of each month.

Current costs for Light Rail/Local Bus riders as of March 1, 2013:

  • Your current per ride cost is $1.00.
  • Your current monthly maximum is $32.00.

Current costs for Express/RAPID Bus riders as of March 1, 2013:

  • Your current per ride cost is $1.63.
  • Your current monthly maximum is $52.00.

You are only charged for the rides you take. To obtain a Platinum Pass, please complete the Platinum Pass application and return it to your personnel office.  The pass will be mailed to your home address of record; please allow up two to three weeks to receive it. 

Replacement Platinum Passes: lost, stolen or damaged

Employees are responsible for their Platinum Passes and for charges incurred. Be sure to check your paystub for charges, even when you have not used your pass. The pass may only be used by the employee to whom it was issued. It is your responsibility to protect the pass and immediately report a missing or stolen Platinum Pass to your personnel department in writing. Be sure to request confirmation from your personnel department that the pass was indeed cancelled. You will need to apply for a replacement; the fee for replacing the pass is $5. The replacement Platinum Pass will be mailed to your home address of record. Click here for a current list of Platinum Pass processors for each agency. Please note: Capitol Rideshare cannot issue, cancel or replace a Platinum Pass; this is a payroll function.

Commuter Club

If you take transit to work at least twice a week, you are eligible for a free membership in the Commuter Club powered by RideAmigos Commuter Club offers relevant commuter incentives, including an emergency ride home, twice per fiscal year, in case you are unexpectedly stranded at work. Be sure to check out the details and benefits of Commuter Club membership