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How to Get a UH METRO Card: The Student Commute Survival Guide
You got into the University of Houston. You found an off-campus apartment. Now comes the part nobody really explains: how do you get around without a car, and how do you avoid paying full price to do it?
The answer is the UH COAST METRO Q Card, and most students either do not know it exists or have no idea how to apply for it. This guide walks you through every step, from logging into your AccessUH portal to tapping your card for the first time on the Purple Line platform near campus. If you live near MLK Blvd, including at Altitude, A Prosper Community, this is the guide you need before your first day of class.
UH set a record with nearly 49,000 students enrolled in fall 2025, and on-campus parking is limited and expensive. The smart move is skipping the car altogether.
Quick Answer: UH students can get a discounted METRO Q Card through the university's COAST program via the myParking portal in AccessUH. Once approved, you pay just $0.60 per ride instead of $1.25, and eligible students receive up to $27.50 per month toward fares. The Purple Line runs directly from the MLK Blvd corridor to the UH campus.
What Is the UH COAST METRO Q Card?
Houston METRO offers a standard discounted fare card for any college student, but UH goes a step further. Through its COAST program (Coogs on Alternative and Sustainable Transportation), the university has its own METRO Q Card application process and offers eligible students a monthly subsidy of up to $27.50 toward their fares.
Here is what that means in real terms. A standard one-way fare on the local bus or METRORail is $1.25. With the student discount, you pay $0.60. If your COAST application is approved, UH kicks in up to $27.50 per month, reducing your out-of-pocket commute cost even further. For a student making five round trips per week, that subsidy covers a significant chunk of your monthly transit spending.
The card also gives you free transfers between any METRO service within three hours, including the Purple Line, local buses, and METRO curb2curb. According to UH Parking and Transportation's official COAST METRO Q Card page, the program is available to eligible UH students who apply through the myParking account in AccessUH.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
The application runs through UH's internal portal, not through METRO directly. Here is the exact process:
Step 1. Log in to your myParking account through AccessUH at accessuh.uh.edu.
Step 2. Click the "Student METRO Card" icon on your myParking dashboard.
Step 3. Download the COAST application form. Read through the agreement boxes carefully, then sign and date the form. Save the completed PDF to your computer.
Step 4. Return to your myParking dashboard and click "Order Permits."
Step 5. Select "COAST Permits" from the permit type list.
Step 6. Follow the prompts to upload your completed COAST application.
Step 7. Submit your application and watch for a confirmation email.
Step 8. UH Parking and Transportation will review your submission and email you with a decision. If you are approved, the email will include instructions on where to pick up your card.
Step 9. Pick up your card at the Parking and Transportation Services customer service office, located in the Elgin Street Garage, Suite 110, at 4224 Elgin Street on campus. Phone: 832-842-1097.
Pro tip: Apply before the semester starts. Processing takes time, and you do not want to be paying full fare during the first few weeks of class while you wait for approval.
What If You Do Not Qualify for COAST?
Not every student meets the COAST eligibility criteria. If your application is denied, you still have a straightforward option. Any college student can apply for your RideMETRO Discount Fare Card through the METRO Online RideStore directly. You will need a government-issued photo ID and one of the following: a current class schedule with a tuition receipt, or a letter from UH verifying your enrollment.
This standard discount card still cuts your fare in half, from $1.25 to $0.60 per ride. You just will not have the UH subsidy on top of it. You can apply online at fares.ridemetro.org or bring your documents to any METRO RideStore location in Houston.
Getting to UH Campus from MLK Blvd
If you live on or near Martin Luther King Blvd, including at Altitude, A Prosper Community at 4971 MLK Blvd, the commute to UH is straightforward. The Purple Line runs directly between downtown Houston and UH campus, and two stations serve the UH area directly.
- TSU / UH Athletics District: Serves the athletic facilities and the southern edge of campus. This is the stop closest to the MLK Blvd corridor.
- UH South / University Oaks: Puts you deeper into the UH academic core, close to the main classroom buildings.
From Altitude, MLK Blvd has direct bus access connecting to both stations. The MacGregor Park / Martin Luther King Jr. station is also on the Purple Line and sits just down the street, making it one of the most transit-connected off-campus addresses in Houston. Use the trip planner at ridemetro.org to map your exact route from your address to your first class.
Want a deeper look at all the routes and lines available to you? Our full overview of Houston's METRO network for UH and TSU students covers every line and bus connection in detail.
Why Going Car-Free at UH Makes Financial Sense
On-campus parking at UH is not cheap, and Houston traffic is notoriously unpredictable. Here is a quick comparison of what commuting by car versus METRO actually costs a typical student:
- Parking permit at UH: Several hundred dollars per semester, depending on the lot.
- Gas for a weekly commute: Varies but adds up quickly across a full semester.
- METRO with COAST card: $0.60 per ride, minus whatever the $27.50/month subsidy covers.
- METRO without COAST (standard discount): Still just $0.60 per ride with the student fare card.
Beyond the money, the time advantage is real. When you ride the Purple Line, you can use that commute to review notes, get ahead on readings, or just decompress. You arrive at class with something to show for your travel time rather than arriving frazzled from parking-lot stress.
Living at a place like Altitude means your commute is short by design. See how close Altitude sits to the UH Purple Line stop and you will understand why so many Coogs choose to live on MLK Blvd.
Tips for Making the Most of Your METRO Card
- Download the RideMETRO app before your first ride. It shows real-time arrivals, lets you plan trips, and tracks your balance.
- Reload your card before it hits zero. You can reload online through the METRO Online RideStore, at any METRO RideStore location, or at participating retailers including H-E-B and Kroger near campus.
- Use your three-hour free transfer window. If you tap your card to board a bus and then transfer to the Purple Line within three hours, the transfer is free. Plan your trips to take advantage of this.
- Check for service alerts before you leave. The RideMETRO app sends push notifications for delays and detours so you are never caught off guard.
- Keep your enrollment documents handy. If you ever need to renew or replace your card, you will need proof of enrollment again. A screenshot of your current class schedule works.
Curious how your commute fits into your broader off-campus experience? Check out how off-campus living boosts your productivity at UH, and take a look at what the neighborhood around Altitude looks like so you know what is waiting for you beyond campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UH COAST METRO Q Card?
It is a discounted METRO fare card available to eligible University of Houston students through the COAST (Coogs on Alternative and Sustainable Transportation) program. It provides a 50% fare discount and includes a monthly subsidy of up to $27.50 toward your METRO fares.
How do I apply for the UH COAST METRO card?
Log in to AccessUH, open your myParking account, click the "Student METRO Card" icon, download and complete the COAST application form, then upload it through "Order Permits" under "COAST Permits." UH Parking and Transportation will review and email you with the decision.
How much does it cost to ride METRO with the student discount?
The regular fare is $1.25. With a student discount card, you pay $0.60 per ride on local bus, METRORail, and METRO curb2curb. Free transfers apply for up to three hours when using a RideMETRO Fare Card.
What is the difference between the UH COAST card and a regular METRO student discount card?
Both give you the 50% student discount. The UH COAST card also comes with a monthly subsidy of up to $27.50 applied by UH Parking and Transportation. The regular METRO student discount card is applied for directly through METRO with no university subsidy.
Which METRO line serves the UH campus?
The Purple Line serves the UH campus directly. The two closest stations are "TSU / UH Athletics District" and "UH South / University Oaks." The MacGregor Park / Martin Luther King Jr. station on the Purple Line is also accessible from the MLK Blvd corridor.
Can I get a METRO student discount card if I am denied for COAST?
Yes. Any enrolled college student can apply for the standard RideMETRO Discount Fare Card directly through METRO's Online RideStore. You will need a photo ID and either a class schedule with tuition receipt or an enrollment verification letter. You still pay just $0.60 per ride.
Where do I pick up my COAST card after approval?
At the UH Parking and Transportation Services customer service office in the Elgin Street Garage, Suite 110, at 4224 Elgin Street on campus. You can also call 832-842-1097 with questions.
Do I need a car to live off campus near UH?
Not at all. The Purple Line runs directly from the MLK Blvd corridor to the UH campus, and bus routes connect Altitude to both Purple Line stations. With a COAST or standard student discount card, you can get to class, explore Houston, and get back without ever needing a parking spot.
Where can I reload my METRO fare card near campus?
You can reload online at fares.ridemetro.org, in the RideMETRO app, at any METRO RideStore, at H-E-B or Kroger locations, and at ticket vending machines on METRORail platforms. The Purple Line platforms near campus all have TVMs.
Ready to make campus life easier? Explore Altitude's floor plans and see why living on MLK Blvd puts the Purple Line, your coursework, and the best of Houston within easy reach. Tour the resort-style amenities at Altitude and then schedule a tour to see it in person.
