Houston Metro Bus: Easy Payment Methods And Options

If you're looking to pay for the metro bus in Houston, you're in luck! There are several options to choose from. You can purchase a METRO Q Fare Card, which is a contactless payment option that functions as a debit card for riding the metro. You can also use the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app to buy single fares or day passes, or you can pay with cash on the bus. If you're looking for a deal, the METRO Day Pass offers unlimited rides for $3 per day. So, whether you're a regular rider or just visiting Houston, there are plenty of ways to pay for your trip on the metro bus.

Paying with a METRO Q Fare Card

The METRO Q® Fare Card is a convenient way to pay for your bus and rail transit in Houston, Texas. Here's everything you need to know about using the METRO Q® Fare Card to pay for your rides:

Obtaining a METRO Q® Fare Card

To get started with the METRO Q® Fare Card, you can obtain one at any of the following locations:

• METRO RideStore locations: Visit a METRO RideStore in person to purchase and load your METRO Q® Fare Card.
• METRO Online RideStore: You can also purchase and load your card through the METRO Online RideStore.
• Participating retail locations: There are more than 200 retailers across Houston where you can buy and load your card.
• Select vending machines: Certain vending machines at rail platforms and METRO facilities offer the option to buy pre-loaded cards or load value onto your existing card.

Loading and Reloading Your Card

Once you have your METRO Q® Fare Card, you can load money onto it in several ways:

• In-person options: Visit any METRO RideStore, participating retailer, or select vending machines to add cash value to your card.
• Online reloading: You can also reload your card online using a credit, debit, or transit benefits card. This option is available for both registered and unregistered cards.
• Autoload for registered cards: If you have a registered card, you can enable autoload to automatically add cash value to your card on a schedule you choose.

Using Your METRO Q® Fare Card

When you're ready to use your METRO Q® Fare Card, simply tap or hold the card near the fare validator when boarding. The validator will register a green light, indicating a successful payment. You can use your card for free transfers between any METRO services of equal or lesser value for up to three hours in any direction.

Checking Your Card Balance

To check the balance on your METRO Q® Fare Card, there are several options:

• Call METRO Customer Service: Dial 713-635-4000 to inquire about your card balance.
• Visit a METRO RideStore: You can visit any METRO RideStore location and ask a customer service representative to check your balance.
• Check the fare validator screen: After tapping or waving your card to pay your fare, look at the fare validator screen, which will display your remaining balance.

Benefits of the METRO Q® Fare Card

The METRO Q® Fare Card offers several advantages for riders:

• Discounted fares: Students, seniors, people with disabilities, and others may be eligible for discounted fares when using the METRO Q® Fare Card.
• Free transfers: The card provides free transfers between METRO services for a specified period.
• 5 for 50 offer: For every 50 single ride trips purchased with the METRO Q® Fare Card, you earn five free single ride trips.
• Stored value: You can load and store money on your card, and the fare is automatically deducted each time you ride.

Paying with the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app

The official METRO Q Ticketing app allows you to purchase single-ride tickets for local bus and rail, METRO day passes for local bus and rail, and Park & Ride tickets (full fare only). You can make purchases with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

To use the app, you will need to set up an account. You can create an account by downloading the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing App. If you have an iOS device, you can download the app from the App Store. If you have an Android device, you can download the app from Google Play. After the app is downloaded and you open it for the first time, a prompt to create an account will appear. You will need to provide an email address and phone number to which confirmations can be sent and received.

Ticket purchases require a cellular network or wireless connection. Once the payment is authorized, your purchase is processed immediately, and your ticket is available for immediate activation and use. You can purchase and activate multiple tickets for multiple passengers. Up to 30 tickets may be purchased at one time, and you can purchase up to $500 in tickets per day. You can also securely store up to $500 in funds for future mobile ticket purchases using the app's Digital Wallet.

Individual bus or rail tickets can be saved and used for up to 2 years from the original purchase date. When you are ready to use your ticket, you can activate it in the app. On Local bus, Park & Ride bus, or METRO curb2curb, show your activated ticket to the operator as you board. On METRORail or METRORapid, show your activated ticket to the METRO fare inspector or METRO police officer upon request prior to boarding or during your ride.

The METRO Q Ticketing app also contains a link to the METRO TRIP app, which provides routes, schedules, and real-time arrival information so you can quickly and easily plan your trip.

Paying with cash

All METRO buses take cash, but you will need to have the exact change as the bus operators cannot provide change. The fare is $1.25, so make sure you have this amount ready in bills or coins before you board.

As you get on the bus, you will need to place your cash into the fare box directly in front of the bus operator.

If you are taking the METRORail or METRORapid, you can use cash to buy a vending machine ticket before you board. You cannot pay with cash as you board these services.

Paying with a credit card

You can pay with a credit card at the following locations:

• METRO RideStore — at the Downtown Transit Center, Fannin South Transit Center, Main Street Square, and Northwest Transit Center.
• Select vending machines at METRO Park & Ride lots and transit centers throughout Houston and Harris County.
• METRORail vending machines — these machines are mostly found on METRORail Red Line platforms, but they are also available on some Green and Purple Line platforms.

Please note that the METRO RideStore at Main Street Square does not accept cash.

Discounted fares

If you fall into one of the following categories, you may be eligible for a discounted fare:

• Students (K-12 or college)
• People with disabilities who are not METROLift customers
• People aged 65-69
• Veterans
• Harris County jurors

The discounted fare is $0.60 for the following services:

• Local bus
• METRORail
• METRORapid
• METRO curb2curb

For the Park & Ride commuter express bus service, the discounted fare ranges from $1-4, depending on where you board. The regular fare to board this service ranges from $2-8.

You can apply for a discounted fare card at one of the following locations:

• Downtown Transit Center
• Fannin South Transit Center
• Main Street Square
• Northwest Transit Center

You can also obtain a discounted card through the METRO Online RideStore by uploading an electronic copy of your ID and completed application.

Free Fares

You are eligible to ride for free on the following services if you fall into one of the following categories:

• People aged 70+ with a discounted METRO Q® Fare Card
• Disabled or decorated veterans with a METRO Veterans Pass
• METROLift customers with a METROLift Freedom Q Card, and up to one assistant
• Any adult with a current Harris County jury summons or date-stamped jury pass
• Children five or younger, accompanied by an adult

Frequently asked questions