Fares

Service	Fare Zone	Regular Fare	Discounted Fare
Local Bus Fares are the same on all local routes.	n/a	$1.25	$0.60
METRORail Fares are the same on all METRORail lines.	n/a	$1.25	$0.60
METRO curb2curb Fares are the same for all curb2curb zones.	n/a	$1.25	$0.60
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus Routes are divided into different zones throughout Houston and Harris County. Your fare is based on the zone where you board. See what zone you're in
Zone 1	$2.00	$1.00
Zone 2	$3.25	$1.60
Zone 3	$3.75	$1.85
Zone 4	$4.50	$2.25
Community Connector This on-demand rideshare service is free. Learn more
METROLift To use this service, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. Learn more about METROLift
METRO Vanpool To use this service, you must first register for an account. Learn more about METRO Vanpool

Discount Programs

If you fit one of the categories below, you may be eligible to receive a discounted fare:

Students

Students are eligible to ride for half price. Certain documents must be submitted by a student or their parent for our review before a discounted fare can be applied.

What do you need?

K-12 Students
You’ll need to provide one of the following:

Class schedule
Report card

You may also need to provide a completed application signed by a parent or legal guardian.

College / Trade School Students
You’ll need to provide both of the following:

Government-issued photo ID
Proof of credit hours

Where do you apply?

Online

You can apply for a discount card through the METRO Online RideStore. You'll need to upload an electronic copy of your required documents.

Once approved, you'll be mailed your RideMETRO Fare Card through the United States Postal Service.

In-person

You can bring your required documents to any of these METRO RideStore locations.

K-12 students should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, a completed application signed by a parent or legal guardian will also be required.

U.S. Mail

You can mail a copy of your completed application along with photocopies of your required documents and a check or money order for $2. The return address is already included on the application.

What services are discounted?

Local bus
Park & Ride bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

Seniors 65-69

Seniors 65-69 are eligible to ride for half price. METRO will first have to confirm your age before a discounted fare can be applied.

What do you need?

You’ll need to provide both of the following:

Any government-issued ID with your date of birth (e.g., driver’s license, state ID)
Completed application

Where do you apply?

Online

You can apply for a discount card through the METRO Online RideStore. You'll need to upload an electronic copy of your government-issued ID.

Once approved, you'll be mailed your RideMETRO Fare Card through the United States Postal Service.

In-person

You can bring your ID and completed application to any of these METRO RideStore locations.

U.S. Mail

You can mail a copy of your completed application along with a photocopy of your government-issued ID and a check or money order for $2. The return address is already included on the application.

What services are discounted?

Local bus
Park & Ride bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

People with Disabilities

People with disabilities who are not METROLift customers may be eligible to ride for half price. METRO will first have to confirm your eligibility before a discounted fare can be applied.

What do you need?

Non-METROLift customers

You’ll need to provide a government-issued photo ID along with one of the following as proof of disability:

Doctor's statement of disability on physician's letterhead or Rx (prescription), stating your name, brief description of your disability and whether the status is permanent or temporary
A visible disability that directly affects mobility
Veteran's ID that has a label under the photo called "Service Connected"

NOTE: The Social Security Award letter is not acceptable for verification unless the actual disability is noted or Medicare benefits are listed.

METROLift customers

This doesn’t apply to you. You should have automatically received a METROLift Fare Card when you were approved to become a customer. That card entitles you to ride free on the services shown in this section.

Where do you apply?

You can bring your ID and proof of disability to any of these METRO RideStore locations.

What services are discounted?

Local bus
Park & Ride bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

Seniors 70 Years or Older

Seniors 70 years or older are eligible to ride for free. METRO will first have to confirm your age before a discounted fare can be applied.

What do you need?

You’ll need to provide:

Any government-issued photo ID with your date of birth
Completed application

Where do you apply?

Online

You can apply for a discount RideMETRO Fare Card through the METRO Online RideStore. You'll need to upload an electronic copy of your ID.

Once approved, you'll be mailed your RideMETRO Fare Card through the United States Postal Service.

In-person

You can bring your ID and completed application to any of these METRO RideStore locations.

U.S. Mail

You can mail a copy of your ID along with your completed application and a check or money order for $2. The return address is already included on the application.

What services are free?

Local bus
Park & Ride bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

Qualified Veterans

Qualified veterans are eligible to ride for free. Certain documents must be signed and stamped by the Veterans Affairs office. You must have earned a medal of valor or suffered a certain type of disability as a result of military service. METRO will first have to confirm your eligibility before a discounted fare can be applied.

What do you need?

You’ll need to provide:

Government-issued photo ID
Qualified METRO Veterans Pass application signed and stamped by the V.A. office

Where do you apply?

Online

You can apply through the METRO Online RideStore. You'll need to upload an electronic copy of your ID and completed application.

In-person

You can bring your ID and completed application to any of these METRO RideStore locations.

What services are free?

Local bus
Park & Ride bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

Harris County Jurors

If you get called for jury duty in Harris County, METRO wants to make it as easy as possible for you to get downtown.

What do you need?

On your way to the courthouse, on your first day of jury duty, show your jury summons to the bus operator or fare inspector. When you're finished with jury duty on the first day, you'll need to request a temporary fare card that can be used on any service.

How do you ride free?

You'll need to tap your temporary fare card on the fare validator every time you board a bus or enter a METRORail platform.

The card will expire at 2 a.m. after the first tap on a validator.

What routes can you take?

The Harris County Jury Plaza, located at 1201 Congress St., has several routes that stop nearby. You can find the routes, schedules and more here.

Riders waiting for bus to arrive in Downtown stop

METRO RideSponsor Program

This program allows employers and organizations to help cover the cost of riding METRO. For employers, it can replace taxable pay or be added as an extra tax-free perk.

Learn More

METRO RideStores & Retail Partners

There are several METRO RideStores and retail locations across the Houston region where you can obtain or reload a RideMETRO Fare Card. Just enter your ZIP code below to find stores near you. Each entry will show what you can obtain at that location.

Find Your Store

Zip Code

Map of Retail Locations

Click or tap on any map marker for more details, including address, phone number and ticket types available. The plus and minus symbols in the lower left allow you to zoom in or out. And the square icon in the upper right allows you to open a larger version of the map in a new window. This map is more easily viewed on a desktop computer.

Ways to Pay

There are multiple options for paying your fare.

In addition to the payment methods shown below, you can pay with cash on local bus and Park & Ride bus. When using cash, deposit it into the fare box at the front of the vehicle. No change is given and free transfers are not included.

RideMETRO Fare Card

This card functions as a debit card for riding METRO. You can load and store money on it, money will then be deducted each time you pay your fare.

If you have a day pass on your RideMETRO Fare Card, the validator will use the day pass first before using any money stored on the card.

How To Pay

Tap your RideMETRO Fare Card on the validator that can be found:

Inside the local bus or Park & Ride bus when you board
On all METRORail and Silver Line platforms
Inside the METRO curb2curb vehicles when you board

Each customer must pay individually. The same payment method cannot be shared.

Make sure the validator screen shows a green checkmark when you tap. Your transfer expiration time will also appear on the screen.

Transfers

When paying with credit, debit or prepaid card stored in Apple or Google Wallet, you'll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours:

Local bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

For transfers to Park & Ride bus service, you'll only pay the fare difference for up to three hours. You can't use a Day Pass on your RideMETRO Fare Card to ride Park & Ride bus service.

You must tap your card each time you enter any vehicle or platform.

1 for 10

Paying your fare with a RideMETRO Fare Card entitles you to our 1-for-10 offer – you’ll receive one free ride after every ten paid rides.

RideMETRO App

Use the app to create a free virtual RideMETRO Fare Card. It functions as a debit card for riding METRO. You can load and store money on it, money will then be deducted each time you pay your fare.

If you have a Day Pass on your virtual RideMETRO Fare Card, the validator will use the Day Pass first before using any money stored on your card.

How To Pay

Scan the QR code in your RideMETRO app on the validator that can be found:

Inside the local bus or Park & Ride bus when you board
On all METRORail and Silver Line platforms
Inside the curb2curb vehicle when you board

Each customer must pay individually. The same payment method cannot be shared.

Make sure the validator screen shows a green checkmark after scanning. You'll also see your transfer expiration time and card balance.

Transfers

After the fare amount is deducted from your card, you’ll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours:

Local bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

For transfers to Park & Ride bus service, you only pay the fare difference for up to three hours.

You must scan your QR code each time you enter any vehicle or platform.

1 for 10

Paying your fare with a virtual RideMETRO Fare Card entitles you to our 1-for-10 offer – you’ll receive one free ride after every ten paid rides.

RideMETRO Ticket

3-Hour Pass and Day Pass tickets can be purchased from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM), located on METRORail platforms, using:

Cash (no pennies; no bills higher than $20)
Credit, debit, or prepaid cards (Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover)
Apple Pay or Google Pay

Passes are valid on local bus, METRORail and METRO curb2curb only.

How To Pay

Scan your ticket under the validator that can be found:

Inside the local bus bus when you board
On all METRORail and Silver Line platforms
Inside curb2curb vehicles when you board

Each customer must pay individually. The same payment method cannot be shared.

Make sure the validator screen shows a green checkmark when you scan. Your transfer expiration time is printed on the ticket.

Transfers

After your ticket has been scanned, you'll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours:

Local bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

Credit / Debit Card

You can pay your fare with a credit, debit, or prepaid card. METRO accepts American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

How To Pay

Tap your card on the validator that can be found:

Inside the local bus or Park & Ride bus when you board
On all METRORail and Silver Line platforms
Inside the METRO curb2curb vehicles when you board

Each customer must pay individually. The same payment method cannot be shared.

Make sure the validator screen shows a green checkmark when you tap. Your transfer expiration time will also appear on the screen.

Transfers

When paying with credit, debit or prepaid card, you'll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours:

Local bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

For transfers to Park & Ride bus service, you'll only pay the fare difference for up to three hours.

NOTE: You must use the same card you used at the start of your trip on the validators when you transfer. A physical card and a virtual version of the same card stored in Apple or Google Wallet count as different payment methods.

1 for 10

Paying your fare with a credit, debit or prepaid card entitles you to our 1-for-10 offer – you’ll receive one free ride after every ten paid rides.

NOTE: To receive your free ride, you must use the same card for all ten trips. For example, if you tap a physical debit card to pay, you must continue to use that same physical card to pay for the next nine rides. Your 11th ride will then be free. A physical card and a virtual version of the same card stored in Apple or Google Wallet count as different payment methods.

Credit / debit card displayed in a mobile phone

Mobile Wallet

You can pay your fare with a credit, debit, or prepaid card using Apple Pay or Google Pay. METRO accepts American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

How To Pay

Tap your smartphone on the validator that can be found:

Inside the local bus or Park & Ride bus when you board
On all METRORail and Silver Line platforms
Inside the METRO curb2curb vehicles when you board

Each customer must pay individually. The same payment method cannot be shared.

Make sure the validator screen shows a green checkmark when you tap. Your transfer expiration time will also appear on the screen.

Transfers

When paying with credit, debit or prepaid card stored in Apple or Google Wallet, you'll receive free transfers between any of these METRO services for up to three hours:

Local bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb

For transfers to Park & Ride bus service, you'll only pay the fare difference for up to three hours.

NOTE: You must use the same card you used at the start of your trip on the validators when you transfer. A physical card and a virtual version of the same card stored in Apple or Google Wallet count as different payment methods.

1 for 10

Paying your fare with a credit or debit card entitles you to our 1-for-10 offer – you’ll receive one free ride after every ten paid rides.

NOTE: To receive your free ride, you must use the same card in your mobile wallet for all ten trips. For example, if you tap using a debit card in Apple Wallet, you must continue using that same debit card in Apple Wallet to pay for the next nine rides. Your 11th ride will then be free. A physical RideMETRO Fare Card and a virtual version of that same RideMETRO Fare Card stored in your Apple or Google Wallet count as different payment methods.

Common Questions

Costs

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

Fare Cards

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)

Paying Your Fare

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.

Other

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.

See More Questions

Park & Ride Bus Zones

Find your zone by selecting the tab that represents the location within the region where you’ll be boarding.

The following routes travel on Interstate 10, east of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
236 Maxey	Central Business District	1
237 Baytown	Central Business District	4

The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on Interstate 45, north of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
202 Kuykendahl	Central Business District	3
204 Spring	Central Business District	3
209 Spring / Kuykendahl	Central Business District	3
212 Seton Lake	Central Business District	3

The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on U.S. Highway 59, northeast of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
255 Kingwood	Central Business District	4
256 Eastex	Central Business District	2
257 Townsen	Central Business District	3
259 Kingwood / Townsen / Eastex	Central Business District	2
500 IAH Downtown Direct	Central Business District	4

The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on U.S. Highway 290, northwest of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
216 West Little York / 214 Northwest Station	Central Business District	2*
217 Cypress	Central Business District	4
219 Cypress / Northwest Station / West Little York	Central Business District	2

* If your destination is Texas Medical Center, your transfer from the 216 to the 298 at Northwest Transit Center includes an upcharge of $1.25.

The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on Interstate 45, southeast of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
244 Monroe / 248 El Dorado	Central Business District	1
247 Fuqua / 246 Bay Area	Central Business District	2
249 Bay Area / El Dorado / Fuqua / Monroe	Central Business District	1
297 Gulf Freeway / TMC	Texas Medical Center	2

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
270 Missouri City	Texas Medical Center	2

The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on U.S. Highway 59, southwest of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
265 West Bellfort	Central Business District	2
269 West Bellfort	Central Business District	2
292 Southwest Freeway / TMC	Texas Medical Center	2

The following routes travel on Interstate 10, west of Houston:

Route	Downtown Destination	Zone
221 Kingsland	Central Business District	4
222 Grand Parkway	Central Business District	4
228 Addicks	Central Business District	3
229 Grand Parkway / Kingsland / Addicks	Central Business District	3
298 Katy Freeway / TMC	Texas Medical Center	4

METRO RideStores

Stop by a METRO RideStore to buy or reload a RideMETRO Card.

You can also get free route maps and schedules, assistance with Lost and Found services, and answers to your questions about riding METRO. All locations accept cash, credit and debit cards. Checks and money orders are only accepted at the Downtown Transit Center.

Location and Hours	Contact Information
Downtown Transit Center Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.	1900 Main St. Houston, Texas 77002 713-739-6968
Eastwood Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	4400 Gulf Freeway Houston, Texas 77020 832-388-7228
Fannin South Transit Center Mon-Fri, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.	1604 West Bellfort Ave. Houston, Texas 77054 713-652-8937
Fifth Ward / Denver Harbor Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	1500 Lockwood Drive Houston, Texas 77020 832-468-8363
Kashmere Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	5910 Hirsch Road Houston, Texas 77026 832-468-7526
Magnolia Park Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	6948 Harrisburg Blvd. Houston, Texas 77011 832-472-5011
Main Street Square Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	1001 Travis St. Houston, Texas 77002 713-652-8994
Mission Bend Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	13855 Alief Clodine Road Houston, Texas 77083 832-441-3961
Northline Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	7705 Fulton St. Houston, Texas 77022 832-465-7278
Northwest Transit Center Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.	7373 Old Katy Road Houston, Texas 77024 713-739-6031
Southeast Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	6000 Scottcrest Drive Houston, Texas 77021 832-468-1665
TMC Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	6934 Fannin St. Houston, Texas 77030 832-472-3727
Wheeler Station Transit Center Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.	4590 Main St. Houston, Texas 77001 832-472-4168

Customer Service:

Questions or Comments?

Connect With Us

All About Fares

Discount Programs

Students

What do you need?

Where do you apply?

What services are discounted?

Seniors 65-69

What do you need?

Where do you apply?

What services are discounted?

People with Disabilities

What do you need?

Where do you apply?

What services are discounted?

Seniors 70 Years or Older

What do you need?

Where do you apply?

What services are free?

Qualified Veterans

What do you need?

Where do you apply?

What services are free?

Harris County Jurors

What do you need?

How do you ride free?

What routes can you take?

METRO RideSponsor Program

METRO RideStores & Retail Partners

Find Your Store

Map of Retail Locations

Ways to Pay

Common Questions

Costs

How much does it cost to ride METRO?

Are discounted fares available?

Does anyone qualify to ride for free?

Fare Cards

Where do I obtain and load, or reload fare cards?

Can I store money on a fare card?

How can I check my fare card balance?

Paying Your Fare

How do I pay my fare?

Can I pay for multiple people with the same card?

When I pay my fare, do I receive free transfers?

Other

I usually drive. Would I save money riding METRO?

What if I’ve moved and my account still has funds?

Does METRO have a fare equity policy?

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