Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Release Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO's Half-Price Student Fares Return for the New School Year

Student savings are back for a new school year! Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, kindergarten through college students with an active, discounted METRO Q® Fare Card ride for 60 cents on local bus, METRORail, METRORapid and curb2curb services, and receive half-off Park & Ride commutes. For students who participated in METRO's Students Ride Free fare program, benefits will continue through Aug. 31, 2023.

METRO's discounted fare program empowers students by providing them with safe and affordable access to public transportation. Students enrolled at participating educational institutions — from elementary schools to universities — are eligible.

Key features of the program include:

Significant Savings: Students enjoy substantial discounts on regular fare prices, ensuring that transportation costs are no longer a barrier to accessing educational opportunities, cultural experiences, and other essential services within the region.

Seamless Travel Experience: Student fare cards seamlessly integrate with METRO's existing fare payment system. Students can simply tap their cards on buses and trains, making their daily commute hassle-free and time-efficient.

Easy Enrollment: The enrollment process for the program is designed to be user-friendly. Students can obtain a discounted Q® Fare Card through METRO's online RideStore or any physical location. On-campus registration is also available at many schools. Contact your school registrar for details. 

Proof of enrollment is required. For K-12 students, one of the following must be provided:

• Current school ID
• Report card
• Class schedule

For college students, METRO requires the following:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of credit hours (choose one)
• Current class schedule
• Letter from college verifying you're a current student
• Discounted METRO Q® Fare Card registration form signed and stamped by school registrar.

For more information about METRO's Student Discounted Fares program, including eligibility criteria and enrollment details, please visit our website. You may also call or text a METRO Customer Care representative at 713-635-4000.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail, which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT Express Lanes, curb2curb microtransit service and METRO Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service. Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the Houston region. Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in the region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at RideMETRO.org, where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.