Fares
Fare Information
Select one of the fare options below to learn more.
Base Cash Fare $1.50
All passengers (age 5 and up) that do not have a pass or ticket are expected to pay this fare each time they board a COAST bus.
Reminders:
- COAST is a pay-as-you-board system.
- COAST bus drivers cannot make change, so be sure to bring exact change with you to the bus stop.
- Once you put money in the farebox it cannot be returned. Overpayments cannot be used as "credit" towards future trips.
Half Fare (65+ / Disabled / Medicare) $0.75
Certain passengers are eligible to board COAST buses at a discounted rate.
Eligible Passengers:
- Passengers 65 years of age and older
- Passengers with disabilities
- Medicare cardholders
This discount only applies when paying your fare in cash or when purchasing Half Fare Tickets - not for purchasing monthly passes or other tickets.
To take advantage of this discount, please show the driver a valid photo ID along with one of the following documents when you board:
- COAST Half-Fare Card*
- Medicare Card (red, white, and blue)
- COAST ADA Paratransit Card
- Passengers 65 years of age and older need only show a valid photo ID
Green Medicaid cards and Wildcat Transit Half-Fare Eligibility Cards are NOT accepted for half fare on COAST buses. The Half Fare policy does not apply on COAST ADA Paratransit trips.
*To apply for a COAST Half Fare Card, please download and print a Half Fare Application. You can complete the application and return it to COAST at 42 Sumner Drive, Dover, NH 03820, Attn: Half Fare.
Children Under 5 FREE
Children under the age of 5 may ride for free when accompanied by an adult. All passengers ages 5 and up are expected to pay fare or produce a valid ticket/pass.
ADA Paratransit Base Cash Fare
The base one-way cash fare for COAST’s ADA Paratransit service is $3.00. Upon boarding, the fare may be paid by exact cash or by using an ADA Punch Card.
Payment of the full fare for each one-way trip is required at the time of boarding. Paying for a round-trip is not allowed.
Route 7 On Demand Fare $1.50 - $3.00
If you request to be picked up and dropped off at a Route 7 On Demand designated stop, the cost to ride is $1.50 each time you board.
If you request a pick up or drop off at a Route 7 On Demand non-designated stop, the cost to ride is $3.00 each time you board.
Tickets & Passes
Select one of the ticket or pass options to learn more.
15 Single Ride Tickets $20
Accepted on all COAST routes. Built-in 12% discount!
Other ways to purchase:
- To purchase directly from your bus driver, please bring exact change in cash and purchase when you board.
- To purchase over the phone, please call 603-743-5777, Option 3.
- To purchase in person, please contact our Administrative Office to schedule an appointment.
Monthly Pass $52
If you are a frequent rider (board a bus more than 35 times in one month), you can save money with a COAST Monthly Pass!
Monthly Passes are good for unlimited rides on all COAST and Wildcat Transit routes. Monthly passes are valid for one calendar month (through the 5th of the month following the month for which they are issued), and may only be used by the person to whom they are issued.
BUY online
Other ways to purchase:
- To purchase over the phone, please call 603-743-5777, Option 3.
- To purchase in person, please contact our Administrative Office to schedule an appointment.
- To purchase by mail, please print this order form and mail it to COAST with your check or money order.
ADA Paratransit Punch Ticket $30
ADA Paratransit Punch Tickets can only be used by passengers who qualify for COAST's ADA Paratransit Services and can only be used for COAST ADA Paratransit trips. Each ticket contains ten (10) $3 punches for a total value of $30.
Other ways to purchase:
- To purchase over the phone, please call 603-743-5777, Option 3.
- To purchase in person, please contact our Administrative Office to schedule an appointment.
- To purchase by mail, please print this order form and mail it to COAST with your check or money order.
Portsmouth Senior Transportation Multi-Ride Ticket $20
These Punch Tickets are exclusively for Portsmouth Senior Transportation customers.
Each ticket has 22 $1 punches - a savings of $2 per ticket!
Other ways to purchase:
- To purchase directly from your bus driver, please bring exact change in cash and purchase when you board.
- To purchase over the phone, please call 603-743-5777, Option 3.
- To purchase by mail, please print this order form and mail it to COAST with your check or money order.
- To purchase in person, please contact our Administrative Office to schedule an appointment.
Single Ride Tickets
These tickets are good for one ride on any COAST or Wildcat Transit route. Previously issued bright orange tickets will expire after December 31, 2023. The magenta tickets now being sold will expire on December 31, 2024, so you have plenty of time to take your ride!
Passengers simply drop the ticket into the farebox as they board.
White Single Ride tickets are considered expired and are not accepted on any routes.
How to purchase:
- Single Ride Tickets are sold to businesses and non-profit organizations in bulk quantities, to be distributed to their respective clients and/or customers.
- If you are a business or organization interested in purchasing Single Ride Tickets, please contact our Administrative Office at 603-743-5777, Option 3.
- Discounts are available for non-profit organizations .
Travel Training Passes FREE
COAST offers free travel training passes to individuals with disabilities who require assistance learning how to navigate the COAST bus system, and to their trainers. Please review our Training Pass Policy for complete information.
Each individual receiving travel training can only receive one free Travel Training pass. Once a Travel Training pass expires, an individual will not be issued another one.
To request a free Travel Training Pass, or to get more information, please contact our Administrative Office at 603-743-5777, Option 3.
Half Fare Single Ride Ticket Bundle $20
Half Fare Single Ride Ticket Bundles are available as a convenience for passengers who qualify for Half Fare on COAST's system. Each ticket bundle comes with 24 tickets for $20.00. These tickets are available exclusively for COAST Half Fare Card Holders, and must be purchased directly through COAST's Administrative Office.
How to purchase:
- To purchase over the phone, please call 603-743-5777, Option 3.
- To purchase by mail, please print this order form and mail it to COAST with your check or money order.
- To purchase in person, please contact our Administrative Office to schedule an appointment.
Transfers
Customers who pay their bus fare with cash or Single Ride Tickets will be issued a free Transfer Ticket upon request. Simply ask your bus driver for a Transfer Ticket when you board.
Transfer Ticket Rules:
- Customers boarding with a multi-ride pass (COAST Monthly Pass, Wildcat Transit Monthly Pass, UNH ID or Great Bay ID) may not request a Transfer Ticket, as they are already eligible for unlimited rides.
- Customers boarding for free (such as a parking shuttle or special promotion) are not eligible for a Transfer Ticket.
- Customers boarding with a Transfer Ticket may not request another one.
- Transfer Tickets are only valid for one immediate transfer to another route; they cannot be saved and used for a later time or date. Transfer Tickets are only valid for the next same-day departure of the route they are issued for.
- Transfer Tickets are not valid on the same route that issued the Ticket. For example: a route 13 bus issues a Transfer Ticket. It cannot be used on another Route 13 bus.
Other Accepted Passes
University Of New Hampshire
- Any passenger displaying a valid University of New Hampshire ID, Wildcat Transit Monthly Pass, or UNH Continuing Education ID card may ride for free on all COAST routes.
- ADA paratransit clients who hold a valid UNH ID may ride for half the normal ADA fare.
- Please note: the "University of New Hampshire Libraries" card (white with blue lettering, no ID on the front) is NOT accepted on COAST routes.
- Drivers will check for current dates and designs and will require passengers to pay cash if the pass is not valid.
Great Bay Community College
- Any passenger displaying a valid Great Bay Community College Student ID card may ride for free on all COAST routes.
- ADA paratransit clients who hold a valid Great Bay Community College ID may ride for half the normal ADA fare.
- Drivers will check for current dates and designs and will require passengers to pay cash if the pass is not valid.
COAST Fare Policies
- COAST is a Pay-As-You-Board system. You must pay the full fare or present a valid pass or ticket each time you board a COAST vehicle.
- Be prepared to show photo ID with your pass. Do not assume the driver will remember you from a previous trip.
- It is the customer’s responsibility to plan ahead and ensure they are able to cover the fare. Customers unable to pay the full fare to ride will not be transported.
- Drivers cannot accept checks or credit cards, and do not carry change.
- Overpaid fares will not be credited or reimbursed.
- Fare evasion is illegal and punishable by law.