Passes can be purchased at kiosks in metro stations or from a fare collector. Bus fare can also be paid in cash and can be paid upon entering the bus at the driver's door. TRAM fares can be purchased to cover Exo train, Metro, and bus travel in one combined pass, which can be loaded onto an OPUS card.

While you can use cash on STM (Société de transport de Montréal) buses in 2026, it is the least efficient way to travel because drivers do not provide change. You must have the exact fare (currently $3.75) in coins—bills are not accepted. The most modern and convenient method is to use a contactless credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Interac) or a mobile wallet (Apple/Google Pay) directly at the reader upon boarding. Alternatively, you can buy a RECHARGEABLE OPUS card or a "L'Occasionnelle" disposable card at any Metro station or authorized retailer. These cards allow you to load multi-trip passes or "evening unlimited" tickets, which are far more cost-effective than paying individual cash fares. In 2026, the STM encourages a "card-first" approach to keep buses moving on schedule, making cash a "last resort" for those without digital or pre-paid options.

Yes, you generally need cash or a ticket to pay for the bus in Montreal, but there are several convenient options:

1. OPUS Card (Recommended)

• The reloadable smart card used for all public transit in Montreal (STM).
• You can buy and reload it at metro stations, authorized dealers (pharmacies, convenience stores), or online.
• Fare Types: Single fares, 10-trip packs, unlimited evening/weekend/day passes, weekly/monthly passes.
• How to use: Tap your card on the reader when boarding.

2. Contactless Credit/Debit Cards & Mobile Wallets

• You can tap your physical Visa, MasterCard, or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) directly on the bus’s card reader.
• It charges the single fare (currently $3.50) for each tap. Note: It does not offer transfers or fare integration like the OPUS card.
• Very convenient for occasional riders.

3. Exact Change (Cash)

• Yes, you can pay with cash, but you must have exact change.
• The bus driver does not give change.
• The single fare in cash is $3.50. Drop the coins into the fare box when you board.

4. Single-Use Tickets

• You can buy a single paper ticket at the ticket machines in metro stations, but not on the bus itself.

Key Tips:

• Transfers: If you pay with cash or a single ticket, ask the driver for a transfer ticket (correspondence). It allows you to connect to other buses or the metro for up to 120 minutes in the same direction.
• OPUS Card Benefits: If you plan to use transit more than a few times, an OPUS card is