Winston-Salem Buses to Go Cashless in January
The Winston-Salem Transit Authority will stop outfitting buses with cash-accepting fare boxes starting in January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Beginning in January 2027, Winston-Salem Transit Authority buses will no longer be outfitted with traditional fare boxes that accept cash. Riders who do not use the authority's phone app will load cash onto prepaid cards at the downtown Clark Campbell Transportation Center.
Why it matters
The authority's transportation director said parts for the existing fare boxes are no longer readily available, and the fare boxes are at the end of their useful life. Fare boxes sometimes work and sometimes do not, which challenges fare recovery for Winston-Salem's transit system.
The change takes effect in January 2027, and cash fares will be converted to 30-day prepaid rides for riders who pay with cash. The number of buses still equipped with traditional fare boxes and the share of riders who pay in cash were not reported.
The players
Winston-Salem Transit Authority
The local public transit agency that operates the city's bus network and is moving riders to cashless fare payment after its fare boxes reached the end of their useful life.
The details
The authority launched its touchless payment system in April, and traditional fare boxes remain on some buses. The authority is sourcing replacement fare box parts from across the country and is working with the city's marketing department to publicize the change.
Timeline
April: The authority launched its touchless phone and prepaid card payment system.
Monday of the article week: The transportation director briefed the city council on fare box failures.
January 2027: Cash-accepting fare boxes are removed from buses.
2027: Cash fares end.
Roadmap
Transit agencies across the country are retiring cash fare boxes in favor of prepaid cards and phone-based payments. Winston-Salem's switch follows that pattern, with its April touchless launch already in place before the cash equipment is removed.
Riders who pay cash will need to load funds onto prepaid cards at the Clark Campbell Transportation Center or use the authority's phone app. Cash fares will be converted to 30-day ride validity for those riders.
The takeaway
Riders who currently pay cash should start planning now by setting up the authority's phone app or visiting the Clark Campbell Transportation Center to load a prepaid card before January 2027.
What happens next
The authority is scheduled to remove cash-accepting fare boxes from buses in January 2027 and end cash fares in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Electric Vehicles for context on how transit fleets are changing in Winston-Salem.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Winston-Salem Journal.
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