Eligible UHD students who ride METRO may register in the RideSponsor program to receive a monthly reloadable subsidy that covers 25% of monthly fare costs.
The RideSponsor Program, which was first launched in the fall of 2017, offers eligible students a subsidy card to provide means for alternative transportation.
UHD finance student Hayleen Arauz registered in the program in fall 2022 to attend her first in-person classes at UHD.
She said riding METRO instead of driving her personal vehicle to campus, helps her save energy, money on maintenance and gas for her personal car, and reduces stress from Houston traffic.
“It’s cheaper than driving (gas, parking permits, car maintenance),” Arauz said. “Sometimes in the morning, [I’m] sleepy or in the afternoon [I’m] tired, so it’s very convenient.”
The amount of the reloadable subsidy in the card is pre-determined by METRO’s zones.
Students qualify for a second METRO q fare card that discounts an additional 50%. This card helps pay any remaining monthly fare costs not covered by the subsidy card.
To qualify for the RideSponsor program, participants must not own or request a UHD parking permit while in the program. For those occasions when a RideSponsor student needs to drive to campus in a personal vehicle, Parking & Transportation Services will provide participants with four validations or a visitor day-pass per semester.
To register, applicants must fill out the RideSponsor Registration online form or visit Parking & Transportation Services located in One Main Building in room N117 and provide their route number, home address, and student ID.
Applicants may need to visit the office a second time to pick up their METRO subsidy card within a few business days. Parking & Transportation Services is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are not required.
