Fares: METRO Q® Fare Card, Day Pass & More

***UPDATE***

To prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), METRO has temporarily suspended collection of fares on local bus, light rail, Park & Ride, METROLift, and Community Connector services.

Stay informed by subscribing to receive service alerts for the route(s) of your choice. We’ll send real-time, personalized route information straight to your phone or email for free. It takes just seconds to subscribe.

You can also monitor METRO’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

As always, METRO Customer Service can be reached at 713-635-4000.

Fare for local buses or METRORail is $1.25.

METRO Q Fare Card

METRO Q® Fare Card

The METRO Q® is our electronic fare card which acts like a “digital wallet.” This unique card contains a microchip that stores your cash balance directly onto your card. Fares are automatically deducted each time you pay to ride, just like a debit card. Customer should maintain possession of the METRO Q® Fare Card or any other fare item upon boarding the bus or train as proof of paid fare. You get free unlimited transfers in any direction for up to three hours. 

Order online

 

METRO Q Mobile Ticketing icon

METRO Q Mobile Ticketing

Mobile tickets are a convenient way to pay when riding METRO. The official METRO Q Ticketing app allows you to purchase:

  • Single ride tickets for local bus and rail
  • METRO day pass for local bus and rail
  • Park & Ride tickets (full fare only)

You can make purchases with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Tickets are then available for immediate activation and use.

Learn more

 

METRO Day Pass

METRO Day Pass

Similar to the METRO Q® Fare Card, the METRO Day Pass is a reloadable card that offers a whole new way to ride, unlimited local bus and METRORail service with just three paid taps of your card – never pay more than $3 a day. Customer should maintain possession of their fare item upon boarding the bus or train as proof of paid fare. You get free unlimited transfers in any direction for up to three hours. 

Order online

 

METRO Money

METRO Money Card

METRO Money is our disposable smart card that contains a predetermined dollar amount for use in paying METRORail and bus fares. Customer should maintain possession of their fare item upon boarding the bus or train as proof of paid fare. You get free unlimited transfers in any direction for up to three hours.

METRO Money is available in these denominations: $1.25, $2.50, $5, $10 and $20.

NOTE: These cards cannot be reloaded.

Order online

 

Cash graphic

Cash

Riders are welcome to pay with cash; however, exact change is required, and operators cannot make change. Transfers are only available when using the METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass.

 

Fare Zone Chart
 

Route Type

Fares

Discounted Fares Students, Seniors, Medicare Cardholders and Disabled

Local Bus / METRORail

$1.25 per ride

 $0.60 per ride

Park & Ride Zone 1

$2.00 per ride

 $1.00 per ride

Park & Ride Zone 2

$3.25 per ride

 $1.60 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 3 $3.75 per ride $1.85 per ride
Park & Ride Zone 4 $4.50 per ride $2.25 per ride

NOTE: All fares are rounded to the nearest nickel, dime, or quarter.

Get specific cost per ride of a Park & Ride Fare Zone route >>

Comparison of Fare Cards

METRO Q® Fare Card

METRO Day Pass

The METRO Q® Fare Card offers the best value for riders who use local bus, rail or commuter service once or twice daily.

The METRO Day Pass offers the best value for frequent local bus and rail riders who travel three or more times daily.

No rider restrictions. Card can be used anytime on any METRO bus or train.

Reloadable

Valid only on the day of activation – expires 2 a.m. the following morning.

FREE Transfers (up to three hours in any direction) with every paid fare.

FREE Transfers (up to three hours in any direction) for the first two paid fares. Enjoy unlimited travel, in any direction, after your third paid fare - same day only.
METRO offers a 50 percent discount on all bus and light-rail service for students, seniors, Medicare cardholders and the disabled. Children ages five and under ride METRO for free and must be accompanied by an adult. Customers can load/reload their card using any amount ranging from $5 to $500. METRO offers a 50 percent discount on all bus and light-rail service for students, seniors, Medicare cardholders and the disabled. Children ages five and under ride METRO for free and must be accompanied by an adult. Riders can preload up to $500 per card.
Users are rewarded over time, offering 5 FREE rides for every 50 paid trips.*
*Trips cannot be combined from multiple METRO Q® Cards.		 Frequent users are rewarded the same day, offering unlimited local bus and rail service.
Tap your card to pay. Activates after three paid taps of your card.

Never pay more than $3 a day – no matter how often you ride.
Valid on all METRO bus and light-rail service. Valid on METRO Park & Ride service; however, paid fares will not count toward the unlimited local bus and rail travel benefit.

 

NOTE: METRO is neither associated, nor affiliated with Q Card Company or Brush Holding, Inc.