METRO Local Bus Service | ADA Accessible Public Transit | Houston, Texas

METRO Local Bus Service | ADA Accessible Public Transit | Houston, Texas
Local Bus
With more than 80 local bus routes serving communities inside and outside the 610 Loop, you have a variety of options for getting to work, school, shopping and medical appointments. Transfers to other routes are available at many city street intersections. You can also transfer at METRO transit centers which are sheltered waiting areas typically found at the beginning and/or end of a bus route.
Free Wi-Fi
Local Bus Routes
Start exploring individual routes by selecting one from the list below. Each one contains a number and associated
route name
, such as “2 Bellaire” or “82 Westheimer”. The route name represents the destination,
street name or area served by that route.
What will you be riding?
Route
Check it Out
Fares
Regular Fare
$1.25
For all Local Bus customers who aren’t eligible for a discounted fare.
Discounted Fare
$0.60
* For students, seniors 65-69, or people with disabilities who aren't METROLift customers.
* Requires discounted fare card
Ways to Pay
There are multiple options for paying your fare when you board a local bus.
You can pay with exact cash by depositing it into the fare box at the front of the vehicle. When using cash, no change is given and free transfers are not included. All other payment methods are shown below.
RideMETRO Fare Card
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 physical
RideMETRO Fare Card
on the fare validator, which can be found:
Inside any local bus or Park & Ride bus, as you board
On all METRORail platforms
Inside any METRO curb2curb vehicles, as 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 and card balance will also appear on the screen.
Transfers
After the fare amount is deducted from your physical RideMETRO Fare 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. You cannot 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 loyalty program – you’ll receive one free ride after every ten paid rides.
RideMETRO App
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 approximately six inches below any fare validator, which can be found:
Inside any local bus or Park & Ride bus, as you board
On all METRORail platforms
Inside any curb2curb vehicle, as 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 QR code. Your transfer expiration time and card balance will also appear on the screen.
Transfers
After the fare amount is deducted from your virtual RideMETRO Fare 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. You can't use a Day Pass on your virtual RideMETRO Fare Card to ride Park & Ride bus service.
You must scan the 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 loyalty program – you’ll receive one free ride after every ten paid rides.
RideMETRO Ticket
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 or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
Apple Pay or Google Pay
Passes are valid on local bus, METRORail and METRO curb2curb only.
How To Pay
Scan your 3-Hour Pass or Day Pass ticket under the fare validator, which can be found:
On all METRORail platforms
Inside any local bus, as you board
Inside any curb2curb vehicles, as 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 3-Hour Pass or Day Pass ticket is scanned, you'll receive
free transfers
between any of these METRO services
for up to three hours
Local bus
METRORail
METRO curb2curb
You can't use a 3-Hour Pass or Day Pass ticket to ride Park & Ride bus service.
Credit / Debit Card
Credit / Debit Card
You can pay your fare with a credit or debit card. METRO accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
How To Pay
Tap your credit or debit card on the fare validator, which can be found:
Inside any local bus or Park & Ride bus, as you board
On all METRORail platforms
Inside any METRO curb2curb vehicles, as 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 or debit 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: To receive free transfers, you must tap the same card on all fare validators throughout your trip. A physical card and a virtual version of the same card stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet count as different payment methods.
Mobile Wallet
Mobile Wallet
You can pay your fare with a credit or debit card using Apple Pay or Google Pay. METRO accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
How To Pay
Open Apple Pay or Google Pay on your smartphone or wearable device. Tap your smartphone or wearable device on the fare validator, which can be found:
Inside the local bus or Park & Ride bus, as you board
On all METRORail platforms
Inside the METRO curb2curb vehicles, as 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 Apple Pay or Google Pay, 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: To receive free transfers, you must tap the same card on all fare validators throughout your trip. A physical card and a virtual version of the same card stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet count as different payment methods.
Track Your Bus
There are various ways that METRO can provide you with reliable, estimated bus arrival times. These real-time updates allow you to stay informed and avoid delays.
Receive the next bus arrival time directly to your phone. Text your
bus stop number
followed by a space and your
route number
to
697433
. You'll receive a text back with the
estimated real-time arrival (RT) and
scheduled arrival time (SC)
of the next buses at your stop.
See the next bus arrival times
by using the map to select the location where you'll
begin your trip
. Select your
bus route
from the routes shown along the left side of the screen and then choose the direction you're traveling in.
Estimated
eal-time
arrivals are shown in green and
cheduled times
are shown in white along the bottom of your screen.
See the next bus departure times by entering your destination and selecting the transit icon (usually a bus or train symbol). You’ll see the timing of scheduled departures from your stop and any delays will be shown in red next to the scheduled time.
After entering your destination, select the public transportation icon (usually a bus or train symbol). Google Maps™ will display your route options. Choose the route that suits you best and tap on it to view more details. You will see the scheduled time as well as the estimated real-time arrival of the next bus.
See estimated real-time bus arrival information on digital signs.
At select bus stop locations, you'll see digital signs like the one pictured above, and most transit centers feature scrolling LED digital signs or high-definition LCD monitors. In addition to estimated arrival times, the LCD screens may also display service alerts, detours, stop closures and other METRO announcements.
Track Your Bus or Train directly from the homepage of the METRO website. Select your
route, destination and
stop
. Click or tap on Track Now and you'll see the route number and estimated real-time arrival as well as the next scheduled departures.
Reach METRO's automated next bus arrival system by calling Customer Service at
713-635-4000
. When prompted, enter your bus stop number followed by your route number, or press the pound sign (#) for stop number lookup. Estimated real-time and scheduled times of the next buses at your stop will be recited.
Rider Tools
Below are some tools to make your METRO riding experience easier and more convenient so you can
drive less
and
do more
Plan Your Trip
Start From:
End At:
Leave At:
TIME
DATE
Plan My Trip
System Map
Explore METRO transit services near you
Interactive Map
PDF Map
Questions and Answers
Valuable information to help you ride
Topics
Find Answers
Ride More, Save More
Earn one free ride after every 10 paid rides using a physical or virtual RideMETRO Fare Card.
RideMETRO App
Your all-in-one tool to plan your trip, track your ride, and pay your fare on METRO Local bus, Park & Ride bus and METRORail.
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