The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and Houston ISD have partnered up to provide free transportation for all high school students for the 2025-2026 academic year, according to an Aug. 5 news release.
The collaboration aims to increase access to education, after-school activities, jobs and essential services while helping families save on transportation.
How it works
Students who sign up to use METRO will receive a preloaded METRO Q Fare Card through their school administrators, allowing students to ride local buses, METRORail and curb2curb at no cost, according to the release. All METRO vehicles are also equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and security cameras.
“Reliable transportation is a gateway to opportunity,” METRO Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock said in the release. “This partnership opens doors for education, employment and engagement, and we’re proud to support the success of Houston’s students.”
Students with the card can access the RideMETRO app, which allows them to plan their route, track their bus or train and view current service alerts.
“This is more than a transportation solution, it’s an investment in our students’ futures,” said Kari Feinberg, HISD Chief of Organizational Effectiveness. “We’re grateful to METRO for being a partner in removing barriers and expanding access.”
Feinberg told Community Impact that more than 700 students have already been approved for the program, and expects more students to sign up for the program as families learn more about the program. She said HISD hopes to reduce the ride time some students face in buses, as some students have been on buses for nearly 90 minutes to even two hours.
Families can contact their student’s school administration to request a METRO Q Card.
