STAR Cards are durable plastic cards that contain a microchip used to pay your fare when the card is tapped at a farebox. STAR Cards can be loaded and reloaded with daily, weekly or monthly Passes, or with cash value. The card is valid for three years.
The STAR Card works with all reduced fare programs. To deter fraud and theft, Seniors and other reduced fare customers use an ID STAR Card that features their photo on the back of the card.
Silver STAR Tickets are primarily designed for out-of-town visitors and those who use JTA services less frequently. These tickets can be reloaded but are made of paper and are much less durable than the STAR Card. STAR Tickets do not offer all the features supported by STAR Cards.
Reloading is easy. Simply add money through the STAR Card website or Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) at major stations and hubs. The user-friendly TVMs dispense both STAR Cards and STAR Tickets and allow customers to reload cash value. TVMs accept cash (no pennies), credit cards (except American Express cards or Visa Gift Cards) and debit cards for payment.
STAR Cards also can be registered on the website so if lost or stolen, the remaining value can be restored on a new card issued by JTA. This feature is not available for STAR Tickets.
Set up auto-reload and never let the balance on your STAR Card run low. Use this feature to load your card with a predetermined monthly amount deducted from your bank account or credit card. Set up this option on the STAR Card website or at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC) Ticket Center, located on the ground floor.
You can add up to $150 cash value to your STAR Card. Use the cash value to pay for a single ride or for anyone accompanying you. Purchasing a Pass is the best way to save money, but the cash value option is especially handy for those who may not be frequent riders.
Add cash value through the STAR Card website, Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and Pass Partner locations in increments of $10, $15, $20 or $50. You can utilize any combination of the cash value increments, but can't exceed a maximum $150 value on your STAR Card. Visit the Ticket Center at the JRTC to load any cash value amount on a STAR Card. All registered and initialized STAR Cards can be reloaded via the STAR Card website.
NOTE: Internet Explorer is not a supported browser for using the STAR Card website. Use of a current browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge is required.
STAR Cards and Tickets use high-security microchip encoding, which is virtually impossible to duplicate.
STAR Cards and Tickets make riding transit much easier and more convenient than carrying cash.
STAR Cards and Tickets make boarding the bus much faster. There are no magnetic strips to swipe and no cash to count. Passengers simply tap the card and board, reducing the time the bus needs to remain stopped.
Get your STAR Card at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC) at 100 LaVilla Center Drive. Visit the Ticket Center, located on the ground floor, between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Photos for Senior and Reduced Fare ID STAR Cards are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
STAR Cards and Tickets are available for purchase and reloading at TVMs at these additional locations (no staff on-site):
NOTE: TVMs DO NOT accept American Express cards or Visa Gift Cards. The transactions will show as unsuccessful and a hold will be placed on the funds.
STAR Cards and Tickets are also available through our Pass Partners.
In order to have your value replaced on your lost or stolen card, your card MUST be registered. Cards must be registered at least 48 hours prior to a claim.
Customers with a Florida driver's license or other Florida-issued identification do not have to get a STAR Card to ride for free. They can simply scan the back of their ID on the mobile validator and show the bus operator their photo upon boarding.
Out-of-state seniors or seniors without a Florida driver's license or other Florida-issued identification are encouraged to obtain a Senior ID STAR Card to ride with us for free.
Please bring with you a Florida driver's license or other Florida-issued identification showing your valid date of birth. Passengers 65 years of age and older ride free with a valid ID STAR Card, a Florida driver's license, or other Florida-issued identification.
No. Reduced Fare Customers can use their mobile phone to pay for fare via the MyJTA App. Patrons eligible for reduced fares should contact Customer Service at (904) 630-3100 to confirm reduced fare eligibility within MyJTA.
To have your picture taken for a Reduced Fare or Senior ID STAR Card, please visit:
ID STAR Cards may be reloaded at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), Winn-Dixie or Harveys Supermarket locations, but new cards cannot be purchased at these locations. To purchase a new card or if your card is expired, please visit one of the following locations (bring your expired ID STAR Card, if applicable):
Email: STARinfo@jtafla.com
STAR Hotline: (904) 632-3800
Hotline Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.