Frequently Asked Questions — Fares

You can still use your METRO Q Fare Card until April 4, but you can't add money to it after Feb. 28.

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

We're currently transitioning to the new system.

During this phase, both the METRO Q Fare Card and RideMETRO Fare Card will be honored as payment.

You can still use your METRO mobile tickets in the Q Ticketing app, but you will not be able to buy tickets after Jan. 12.

METRO mobile tickets stored in your Q Ticketing account may be used until Monday, Feb. 2.

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

You can now use the updated RideMETRO app to pay your fare. More details can be found on the RideMETRO App page.

The new RideMETRO Fare System offers many benefits. You can:

1. Pay with a physical RideMETRO Fare Card; virtual RideMETRO Fare Card (in the RideMETRO app); credit, debit or prepaid card; Apple Pay; Google Pay; or cash.
2. Manage multiple cards under one account.
3. Add money instantly to any card in your managed account.
4. Get rewarded faster with one free trip for every 10 paid trips (1-for-10).

And there are multiple ways you can manage your physical or virtual RideMETRO Fare Card:

• Through your online account
• Using the RideMETRO app
• Calling or texting the Customer Contact Center at 713-635-4000.

No. You're not required to register your card; however, any money on the card will not be protected if it's lost or stolen. If a card is not registered, it cannot be managed online or set up for autoload.

You'll need to tap or scan the fare validator as you board a bus or prior to boarding METRORail.

The following payment methods will need to be tapped on the fare validator:

• Physical RideMETRO Fare Card
• Credit/debit card
• Mobile wallet with Apple Pay or Google Pay

The following payment methods will require you to scan a QR code approximately six inches under the fare validator:

• Virtual RideMETRO Fare Card (in the RideMETRO app)
• 3-Hour Pass ticket

On buses, you can also pay with cash by depositing it into a fare box at the front of the vehicle as you board. No change is given and free transfers are not included.

Each rider must tap or scan their own form of payment. You cannot pay fares for multiple people using the same payment method.

Fare inspectors and METRO Police conduct regular fare checks on the system.

More details can be found on the All About Fares page.

You can obtain a RideMETRO Fare Card for $2 and load money on it at any of the following:

• METRO RideStore locations
• METRO Online RideStore
• Participating retail locations
• Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)

3-Hour and Day Pass tickets can only be purchased from TVMs located on METRORail platforms.

No. Back-of-the-bus reloaders will no longer be available on METRO buses.

You can add money to a physical RideMETRO Fare Card:

• Through your online account
• In the RideMETRO app
• At METRO RideStore locations
• Using Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)
• At participating retail locations

You can add money to a virtual RideMETRO Fare Card:

• Through your online account
• In the RideMETRO app

Yes. Cash will still be accepted to pay for fares:

• Onboard buses (exact fare only; no change given; no transfers included)
• At Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)

You can also use cash to buy or reload a physical RideMETRO Fare Card:

• At METRO RideStore locations
• At Participating retail locations

During the transition phase, you should use all remaining funds on your current METRO Q Fare Card and discard it.

No. You have the option of choosing either a physical or virtual card, not both. If a physical card is converted to virtual, it can no longer be used.

Yes.

Students, seniors (65 years of age or older), and qualified veterans can apply online for a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card.

People with a disability who are not eligible for METROLift must apply for a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card in-person at a METRO RideStore.

Once you've obtained your RideMETRO Discount Fare Card, you can convert the physical card to a virtual card in the RideMETRO app.

The regular fare is $1.25 and the discounted fare is 60 cents for the following services:

• Local bus
• METRORail
• METRO curb2curb

For METRO Park & Ride bus service, the regular fare to board ranges from $2 to $4.50 depending on your location. The discounted fare is half price.

The following passengers ride free:

• Children five years or younger, when accompanied by an adult
• Seniors 70 years or older who have a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card
• Qualified veterans who have a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card
• METROLift customers (with up to one assistant) using their METROLift Fare Card

Yes, with a pre-approved RideMETRO Discount Fare Card, the following individuals are eligible to ride for half price on local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail and METRO curb2curb:

• Student (K-12 or college)
• Senior 65-69
• Person with a disability who isn't a METROLift customer

Yes, the following individuals are eligible to ride free on local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail and METRO curb2curb:

• Seniors 70 years or older with a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card
• Disabled or decorated veterans with a RideMETRO Discount Fare Card
• METROLift customers with a METROLift Fare Card, and up to one assistant
• Anyone with a current Harris County jury summons or a Juror Fare Card
• Children five or younger, accompanied by an adult

You can obtain a RideMETRO Fare Card for $2 and load money on it at any of the following:

• METRO RideStore locations
• METRO Online RideStore
• Participating retailers
• Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)

3-Hour and Day Pass tickets can only be purchased from TVMs located on METRORail platforms.

More details can be found on the All About Fares page.

The RideMETRO Fare Card functions as a debit card for riding METRO. You can continually load and store money on it, and money will be deducted when you pay your fare.

Your account balance will appear on the fare validator after you've tapped to pay or transfer. You can also check it by:

• Visiting the METRO Online RideStore
• Using the RideMETRO app
• Calling METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000
• Visiting any METRO RideStore location
• Using a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM)

You have the option to link your fare card to your RideMETRO account.

If you lose a card that is connected to a RideMETRO account, your card balance is protected, and you should report the loss immediately to Customer Service by calling 713-635-4000.

If you lose a card that is not connected to a RideMETRO account, any money you stored on the card can’t be recovered.

You can link your RideMETRO Fare Card online from the METRO Online RideStore. You'll need to create or log in to your RideMETRO account. If you are purchasing a card for the first time, make sure to select "Add to Account" during the ordering process. If you already have a card, you'll click on "My Cards" and then click "Link Card" to add your card information to your profile.

You can also register by calling Customer Service at 713-635-4000 or visiting any METRO RideStore location.

Yes. To set up autoload, you need to have your fare card linked to a RideMETRO account. If you need to set up an account and link your card, visit the METRO Online RideStore.

Once your card is linked to your account and you're signed in, you'll need to add a credit or debit card to your Payment Settings. Then you can set up an autoload to run either once a month on a certain day or when your card balance is below $5, $10 or $20. The autoload amount must be between $5 and $100. 

Autoloads will not work if the card balance has reached $500 or if you have set a monthly limit on the number of times autoloads can occur in a given month. 

If you need assistance with this process, call Customer Service at 713-635-4000.

No. METRO fare cards can only pay one fare at a time. This prevents your card from being charged twice.

Yes. You can transfer funds between fare cards that are linked to your RideMETRO account. You can access your account through the METRO Online RideStore.

If you need further assistance, contact Customer Service at 713-635-4000.

Paying your fare with a RideMETRO Fare Card entitles you to METRO’s 1-for-10 offer – you’ll be credited with one free ride for every 10 paid rides. 

Most RideMETRO Fare Cards do not expire. 

The exception is RideMETRO Discount Fare Cards issued to:

• Elementary, middle and high school students, which are valid for eight years, or through the date of high school graduation – whichever comes first.
• College, university and trades school students, which must be renewed every two years. 
• Seniors 65-69, which expire when the customer turns 70.
  

You'll need to tap or scan the fare validator as you enter a METRO local bus, Park & Ride bus, curb2curb vehicle or METRORail platform.

For the following payment methods, you'll need to tap them on the fare validator:

• Physical RideMETRO Fare Card
• Credit/debit card
• Mobile wallet with Apple Pay or Google Pay

For the following payment methods, you'll need to scan the QR code six inches under the fare validator:

• Virtual RideMETRO Fare Card (in the RideMETRO app)
• 3-Hour Pass ticket
• Day Pass ticket (not valid on Park & Ride)

You can also pay with cash on local and Park & Ride bus service by depositing it into a fare box at the front of the vehicle as you board. When using cash, no change is given, and free transfers are not included.

More details can be found on the All About Fares page.

No. Each rider must tap or scan their own form of payment. You cannot pay fares for multiple people using the same payment method.

Children five or younger ride free when accompanied by an adult.

Yes, you'll receive free transfers between any METRO service of equal or lesser value for up to three hours if you pay using your:

• RideMETRO Fare Card
• RideMETRO app
• Credit, debit or prepaid card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover)
• Mobile wallet using Apple Pay or Google Pay
• 3-Hour Pass ticket
• Day Pass ticket (not valid on Park & Ride)

For transfers to a service with a higher cost, you only pay the fare difference for up to three hours.

If you own a vehicle, driving less would save you money on gas, maintenance and/or parking fees. You might also qualify for lower auto insurance rates. 

To do a more specific calculation that accounts for these factors, you can use METRO’s Savings Calculator.

If you can document this, you’re eligible to have your account balance refunded. Please visit any METRO RideStore location or contact Customer Service at 713-635-4000 and they can assist you.

Yes. You can find it on the Fare Policies and Procedures page.