Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for enabling a uniquely-identifiable item as fare media in a transit system. Embodiments generally include collecting a unique identifier from the item, and sending the unique identifier, and other data, to a virtual fare device. The virtual fare device can use the unique identifier to access historical and/or other information associated with the unique identifier, calculate a fare, and/or update the information in a manner similar to how a physical fare device updates information on physical fare media, such as a stored-value card. The virtual fare device then can send data, such as priced transaction data including fare information, to other systems and/or servers of the transit system for further processing.