METRO Celebrates the Anniversary of its METRO Q® Fare Card

It was one year ago last month that METRO introduced a simpler way to pay fares using its new METRO Q® Fare Card.

The transition was a huge success - 70 percent of its riders now use the METRO Q® Fare Card, taking advantage of its five free trips for every 50 paid trips.

The grand champion of the agency’s Rider Reward program is Continental Airlines employee Doug Burnham. Burnham, who has tallied 69 free trips with an approximate savings of $276, was surprised to learn that he leads the 1.5 million riders who have taken advantage of this program perk.

“I think it’s wonderful – totally unbeknownst to me,” he added. “It’s given me the ability to integrate my life with work.” 

The avid rider says that in the airline industry there are two ways of measuring the age of an aircraft: one, by how many hours it’s flown, and two, by how many times it’s taken off.

“I have a lot of landings, not a lot of hours since my trips are about 5-10 minutes away,” said Burnham.

Burnham taps his METRO Q® Fare Card everyday when he boards the 81 Westheimer-Sharpstown or the 82 Westheimer-West Oaks for his short commute to the office. He also uses the METRO Q® for midday to go home to walk his dogs.

Continental is a METRO RideSponsor, so Burnham also enjoys transit benefits because his employer subsidizes part of his transportation costs.

METRO is pleased with the overall success of the METRO Q® Fare Card program, partnerships with large corporations like Continental Airlines, and for the growth and patronage of its loyal riders.

For more information on the METRO Q® Fare Card, please call 713-635-4000 or visit our Web site at www.ridemetro.org.