Which smartphones and operating systems are supported?
- Apple iPhones running iOS 11 and above
- Android phones running an OS of 5.0 and above. Up to 2 versions behind will be supported
Is it necessary to create an account to purchase a ticket?
How do I set up my account?
Accounts can be created two ways:
- Launch the METRO Q Ticketing mobile app – a prompt to create an account will appear
- Visit mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org (best viewed on desktop), click
Sign in
in the upper right
corner and set up your account online
Am I required to use my real name when creating my account?
You have the option of entering your real name or a nickname when creating your account. However, the email address used must exist so that confirmations can be sent and received.
Can I use the same phone and/or phone number for multiple METRO Q Mobile
Ticketing accounts?
Yes. METRO Q Mobile Ticketing accounts are associated with an email address. To use multiple accounts on the same phone, you must log out of the current account (email address) and log into another account using a different email address.
How do I add a debit / credit card to my account?
The addition of a debit / credit card can be completed during the purchase process. Once you open your Cart and select Checkout, you may tap the “Add” or “Change” link across from the word “Payment” to go to the Payment Methods screen. From there you may tap the “+” at the top of the page and input your debit / credit card information.
How do I reset my password?
After launching the app, click the Settings
menu item, then select Change Password
.
How do I update personal profile settings or deactivate my account?
Visit mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org/settings (best viewed on desktop) enter your email and password. Here you can edit all the personal information associated with your account, including:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone
- Username
- Password
- Devices
- Mailing Address
- Payment methods
There's also a link if you wish to deactivate your
account. If you need assistance, call METRO Customer Care at
713-635-4000.
What types of tickets are available for purchase?
Currently, you may purchase:
- Single ride tickets for local bus and
rail
- METRO day pass for local bus and rail
- Park & Ride tickets
Can I purchase fares for my Park & Ride route?
Yes, for full fare tickets only. Discounted fares are not currently available in the app.
Can I purchase multiple fares at the same time?
Yes. You can purchase and activate multiple tickets for multiple passengers.
Where can I purchase mobile tickets?
- Via the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app (click the
Store
icon in
the menu to get started)
- Via the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing online portal at mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org (best viewed on desktop)
Do I need an internet connection to purchase a ticket?
What payment methods are accepted?
You may purchase mobile tickets with any of the following:
- Credit card (including prepaid debit cards or transit benefits cards)
- PayPal
- Apple Pay (iOS devices only)
- Google Pay (Android devices only)
- Wallet (load and store up to $500 in funds directly in the app)
You can purchase tickets using the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app or by logging in to your mobile ticketing account at mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org (best viewed on desktop).
How do I load money into the in-app Wallet?
Tap the setting icon in the lower right hand corner of the app, then tap Payment Methods. You’ll see a Wallet option along with a “Load>” link. Just tap that link and follow the on-screen prompts to reload or autoload funds for future use, up to a total of $500.
When should I purchase my mobile tickets?
Tickets must be purchased before boarding a METRO vehicle. You will need a cellular or Wi–Fi connection to complete the transaction. Individual bus or rail tickets can be saved for up to 2 years from the original purchase date.
If I purchase tickets via mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org, can I use them on my phone?
Yes. Tickets purchased via the METRO Q Mobile Ticket online portal will be downloaded to your phone automatically.
Upon completing a website purchase, if you don't immediately see the tickets in the Use
screen of your app, refresh the screen and your tickets should appear. If they don't appear under Use,
you can check your Order History
at: mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org to confirm your ticket purchase was processed (best viewed on desktop).
I didn't receive a confirmation email with my ticket purchase. Did my order go through?
Check your junk/spam email folder for the confirmation email. You should be
able to see your purchase under the Use
menu item, select the
Available
tab in the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app (make sure to
refresh the app). If the tickets don't appear there, you can check
your Order History
at mobiletickets.RideMETRO.org
to confirm the ticket purchase was processed (best viewed on
desktop).
How many tickets can I purchase at one time?
Up to 20 tickets at one time.
Is there a limit to the number of transactions I can make in one day?
The METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app allows you to purchase up to $50 in tickets per day. For security and fraud prevention purposes, you may store a maximum of $500 in tickets in the wallet.
Is there an incentive program that allows me to earn free tickets?
Yes. We
call it the 5 for 50 program.
After you've purchased and
activated 50 single ride tickets, you’ll be awarded 5 free tickets
in your account, which can be used for single rides on any of METRO's
vehicles.
How quickly are payments processed?
Once the payment is authorized, your purchase is authorized immediately and your ticket is then available for immediate activation.
What if my credit / debit card is declined?
Confirm you have the correct debit / credit card details registered, such as zip code and security code on the back. If these items are correct and the card is still declined, you'll need to contact your bank for assistance.
What if I purchased the wrong ticket? Can I get a refund?
Contact the METRO Customer Service office at 713-635-4000 to discuss options to resolve your issue.
How many tickets can be stored on the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app?
Your app account can store up to 30 individual mobile tickets.
Can I store more than one payment method?
Yes. You can add additional payment methods in either of the following ways:
- While making a purchase, you may modify your payment method by selecting
Change
or select Add
if you haven't already added a payment method
- Tap the 'Settings' icon in the menu, then select the 'Payment Methods' link.
Where is my personal and debit / credit card information stored?
All personal and debit / credit card information is stored on a securely encrypted server hosted by the financial clearing house. METRO has no access to that information.
How do I use a ticket?
- Tap the
Use
icon from the menu
- Select any of the tickets listed under
Available Tickets.
A window will pop up. Tap the Activate
button
- An expiration pop–up message will appear. Select Yes to continue the activation process.
Do I need an internet connection to use a ticket?
No. Once the ticket has been purchased, no internet connection is necessary because the ticket is stored on your phone. You may simply tap the Use
ticket icon in the menu and activate the desired ticket.
When should I activate my ticket?
You can activate (use
) your purchased METRO mobile ticket before entering any METRO paid fare zone. When requested, please show your active ticket to any fare inspector, bus operator or METRO Police Officer.
When prompted by a fare inspector, bus operator or METRO Police Officer, you can select the active ticket from the list of Tickets in Use
and display the screen for visual validation.
If a fare inspector, bus operator or METRO Police Officer requests that you activate the barcode on your ticket, tap on the screen and the background color will change, indicating the ticket is active. To return to the activation screen, touch the Back button at the top of the screen. If requested by METRO personnel, you may redisplay the active ticket from the Use
menu selection and choose the Active
tab.
The ticket is taking a long time to display, what should I do?
Some phones using older operating systems may not work as fast as newer phones. If you have an older phone, please be sure to give yourself plenty of time to activate the ticket before you enter the METRO paid fare zone. You should also check to make sure you don't have too many applications open on your phone at one time. This can also impact performance of the app.
Do I need to enter the bus or train through the front door to use the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app?
You may board the train through any door; however, bus riders must enter through the front door only.
Can I use multiple tickets on my device (at the same time) for family and friends?
Yes. Buying and using tickets for multiple riders on a single device is a great benefit of METRO Q Mobile Ticketing.
When using multiple tickets, the ticket you display to the fare inspector, bus operator or METRO Police Officer will show which types of tickets and the number of tickets used for the group.
Will a fare inspector or other METRO personnel need to handle my device?
No. METRO personnel are instructed not to touch a customer's device. If a fare inspector, bus operator or METRO Police Officer requests that you activate the ticket, do the following:
- Open the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app on your phone, and select the
Use
ticket icon from the menu
- Select any of the tickets listed under
Available
A window will pop up. Tap the Activate
button
- An expiration pop–up message will appear. Select
Yes
to continue the activation process.
If you've already activated your ticket before being prompted by a fare inspector, bus operator or METRO Police Officer, you can select the active ticket from the Active
list and display the screen for visual validation.
Can I see how much time is left on the active ticket before it expires?
Yes. The expiration date and time are displayed at the bottom of the ticket. When your ticket expires, it will disappear from your Active ticket
display. You must activate another ticket before boarding another vehicle.
What if the ticket expires before I can use it?
Should this occur, you would be required to purchase another ticket for your travel.
What if my device battery dies?
You are responsible for showing proof of valid fare upon request by a fare inspector or other METRO personnel. Only a visible, active ticket will be considered a valid form of fare payment.
I purchased tickets but haven't used them yet. How long will they last?
All unused METRO bus and rail tickets may be saved for up to 2 years after the original purchase date.
What should I do if I get a new phone, reset my phone or conduct a major upgrade?
METRO mobile tickets are stored on your phone, making it possible to use them without an internet connection. Before resetting your phone, uninstalling the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app, or logging into the app on a new device, you will need to transfer any remaining tickets from your old phone to your online account. To do this, select the Settings
icon from the menu. Then select Ticket Storage
to save tickets to the cloud. Once complete, you may use the new phone to download the tickets.
NOTE: Active tickets cannot be transferred.
What should I do if my phone is lost or stolen?
Call METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000 for assistance with a lost phone and/or transferring tickets to a new phone.
What if the app becomes unresponsive or just stops working?
Try logging out of the app and logging back in. Then try powering off your phone and turning it back on. If the app is still unresponsive, contact METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000 for further assistance.
Download the App
Click on the badge (image) below to download the App on Google Play for Android and the App Store for Apple iOS.