Skip to main content

Alternative Transportation

Parking and Transportation Services has a partnership with METRO, called the RideSponsor program. The University commits to subsidizing 25% of the monthly fare cost (​determined by zones) for student participants. The RideSponsor Program for students is funded through a U.S. Department of Education Basic Needs grant.

For example, if a participant lives in Zone 4, the monthly cost is $198 ($9 roundtrip x 22 days/month).  UHD will subsidize $49.50 (25%), and the participant pays the remaining $148.50.  METRO ride zone fares can be found here.

UHD Parking & Transportation offers a METRO Q fare card preloaded with a 25% subsidy. Participants are encouraged to load a second fare card to cover the remaining balance of their monthly fare. For students, this discounted fare card provides an additional 50% discount, courtesy of METRO, for college and university students. To obtain this card, participants must visit a METRO RideStore or apply online. It is important to bring proof of eligibility, which includes a government-issued ID and documentation of credit hours.

The UHD-subsidized METRO Q subsidized card will automatically be reloaded each month once the card’s balance drops to $5. Note that the maximum allowed reload is one (1) per calendar month.

Additionally, participants in the RideSponsor program are not eligible to purchase a UHD parking permit.

Individuals interested in participating in the RideSponsor program can register one of the following ways:

  1. Fill out the membership form and wait for a member of the UHD Parking and Transportation Services team to coordinate a meeting to finalize your registration.
  2. Stop by the Parking and Transportation Services Office, located in N117 of the One Main Building (across from the UHD Police Department), Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

For more information about UHD's RideSponsor program, please contact Parking and Transportation Services, parking@uhd.edu; 713-221-8127.

For more information about METRO, visit ridemetro.org

Note: Due to increased costs and limited funding, UHD’s RideSponsor discount program with METRO will no longer be offered to employees as of September 1, 2023.