Public transportation is available in Houston through the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Buses serve 66% of Harris County including Houston and the NASA/Clear Lake area. The Light Rail train, which stops at the front door of the university, costs the same amount as a bus and accepts the same tickets, passes and transfers as buses. Passes may be purchased at the UHD Cashier's office. Maps and schedules are also available at the Cashier's office or at the METRO web site. In the downtown area, where the University of Houston-Downtown is located, free trolleys go to all of the businesses and parks in the downtown area. (Taxi service is available but is somewhat expensive.)
Because Houston is spread out over a large land mass, many people drive automobiles in Houston. Some students purchase automobiles. State law requires that automobile owners purchase adequate automobile insurance policies. All drivers must obtain a driver's license. This requires both a written and a driving test. Many of our students drive cars.