Faster, Convenient Boarding with SmartTAP Cards

CTRAN riders who want to pay fares electronically can do so using the SmartTAP product of their choice. There are two ways to use SmartTAP: Pay as You Go (PAYG) and Period Passes.

If you want to use the PAYG option, you must use a reloadable card. Period passes can be added to a reloadable or disposable card.

Reloadable SmartTAP Cards

Reloadable SmartTAP cards are physical cards that can be loaded with new funds in specific amounts (PAYG) or with period passes. There is a one-time $5 fee to obtain a reloadable card. The reloadable cards have a lifespan of 8-10 years if properly cared for.

Pay As You Go (PAYG)

The Pay As You Go reloadable SmartTAP pass can be replenished with new funds in the amounts of $5 to $200. Each time you board a bus and tap the fare box, the cash fare is automatically deducted from the stored value according to the CTRAN fare structure.

Vending machines allow you to add funds in $5 increments. You can add funds in larger increments by reloading online.

Period Passes

SmartTAP reloadable cards can also be loaded with 1- or 31-day period passes. Purchasing a period pass gives you an unlimited amount of rides for a set period of time, either 1 day or 31 days.

1-Day Pass: $5
31-Day Pass: $60
31-Day Reduced Fare Pass: $45

All customers who possess local reloadable cards are allowed one “active” period pass, two pending period passes, and up to $200 in PAYG funds.

1-Day Pass: $12
31-Day Pass: $75

Commuter period passes are all access cards, which means holders can travel on all CTRAN routes. Purchase is not available online.

Disposable SmartTAP Passes

Period passes can also be purchased on a disposable SmartTAP card. Disposable cards are preloaded with local period passes. They activate the first day tapped on the bus and remain valid until midnight the day of expiration. Discard them after expiration.

1-Day Pass: $5
31-Day Pass: $60
31-Day Reduced Fare Pass: $45

Why Switch to SmartTAP

Why Switch to SmartTAP?

  • Purchase products online anytime, in-person or at a SmartTAP vending machine.
  • SmartTAP cards are much safer than carrying cash and eliminates the worry of having exact fare.
  • Boarding is fast and convenient. Just “tap & go”!
  • When registered, your balance is protected if you lose your reloadable card.
  • SmartTAP passes can be given as gifts!

Purchase Online: Visit our Buy Online page.

SmartTAP Vending Machines:

Chemung County Transportation Center
100 E. Church Street
Elmira, NY 14901

Arnot Mall
3300 Chambers Road
Horseheads, NY 14845

Purchase by Phone: (607) 734-5212

Registering your SmartTAP pass allows you to:

  • Protect and check the remaining balance on your card
  • Make online purchases
  • Access order information and updates
  • Activate the Autobuy feature to automatically replenish your card

Register by clicking here. After registering, you will receive an email to password protect your account and to verify the SmartTAP Card # and registration.

If a registered Reloadable SmartTAP Card is lost, stolen or damaged, there is a $5 replacement fee. You can report a lost card and request a new one through your online account. Please allow 2-5 business days to receive your replacement card. Customers that do NOT register Reloadable SmartTAP Cards will NOT be able to reclaim any loss.

Contact our Customer Service Department at (607) 734-5211 or visit the Mobility Manager at the Chemung County Transportation Center, available Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The SmartTAP Vending Machine is a touch screen, and it offers new disposable and reloadable products. To use it, select the product you want and follow the prompts.

If you are adding funds to a reloadable card, be prepared to target your SmartTAP reloadable card IMMEDIATELY after paying with cash or credit/debit in order to ensure your purchase will be added before the machine times out.

The machines are only able to accept $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. The machine will only accept 15 $1 bills at one time. The vending machine is NOT an ATM. Change is dispensed in limited coin refunds.

Once the purchase is complete, tap your card on the target to check the card balance. Reloadable cards will display what period passes and stored value (PAYG) products are uninitialized (not yet activated), active (expiration date), and number of pending passes.

  • Reduced Fare SmartTAP cards are non-transferrable and may only be used by the purchaser.
  • The bearer of the SmartTAP card must possess his/her bus pass at all times while on the bus.
  • Each card will only allow one passenger to “tap & go” once within a 5-minute timeframe.
  • Passengers are prohibited from sharing or distributing SmartTAP cards. Violators found guilty of misusing the system in any way will be subject to CTRAN’s Transportation Passenger & Visitor Standard of Conduct and face the consequences of this inappropriate conduct.
  • All bus pass purchases are final. CTRAN does not offer refunds or replace lost, stolen or damaged disposable bus passes.
  • Drivers will not honor SmartTAP passes that are damaged, mutilated, expired or that are indicated as invalid on the fare box.
  • To avoid being a victim of fraudulent or forged passes, customers should purchase fare passes only from authorized CTRAN Sales locations or SmartTAP Vending Machines.
  • CTRAN supervisors have the authority to confiscate invalid passes and/or remove any person not following these rules.
  • CTRAN highly recommends storing all SmartTAP cards in a clean, dry, flat carrier or holder. SmartTAP cards should not be folded and holes should not be punched into them.