DC Kids Ride Free
All Washington DC students ride free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator — no cost, no income limit, no application fee.
How Kids Ride Free works
The DC Kids Ride Free program is funded by the District of Columbia and provides free public transit to all DC residents enrolled in a DC school. Students use a dedicated SmarTrip card — loaded automatically for school days — to tap into any Metrorail station or board any Metrobus or DC Circulator route in Washington DC.
The program covers every type of DC school — not just public schools. DCPS students, public charter school students, and private school students in Washington DC are all eligible, as long as they are DC residents between ages 5 and 21.
Cards are typically distributed by schools at the start of the school year. DCPS and public charter schools handle distribution directly. Private and parochial school students may need to visit a DC DMV service center to obtain their card.
Transit covered
Frequently asked questions
What is the DC Kids Ride Free program?+
Kids Ride Free is a Washington DC government program that provides free public transit to all DC residents enrolled in a DC school. Students ages 5–21 ride Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator at no cost on school days and during school hours. The program is funded by the District of Columbia and administered through WMATA.
Who qualifies for DC Kids Ride Free?+
Any DC resident between ages 5 and 21 who is enrolled in a DC school qualifies — including DCPS public schools, public charter schools, private schools, parochial schools, and DC-based colleges and universities. You do not need to be enrolled in a public school. Private school students in Washington DC are eligible.
How do I get a Kids Ride Free SmarTrip card?+
Students receive a Kids Ride Free SmarTrip card through their school. DCPS and public charter schools distribute cards at the beginning of the school year. Private school students should contact their school administration or visit a DC DMV service center. The card is free — there is no cost to obtain or use it.
Which transit lines does Kids Ride Free cover?+
Kids Ride Free covers all Metrobus routes, all Metrorail lines (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, Yellow), and DC Circulator buses. It does not cover Amtrak, MARC, VRE, or local bus services in Maryland or Virginia. Rides must begin and end within Washington DC for Metrorail.
When can students use Kids Ride Free?+
Kids Ride Free cards work on school days (Monday–Friday when DC schools are in session) during specific hours — typically 6am to 9pm. During summer school and DC-sponsored programs, cards may also work during summer months. Cards do not work on non-school days such as weekends, holidays, or school breaks.
Does Kids Ride Free work for charter school students?+
Yes. Students enrolled at any of DC's 123 public charter schools are fully eligible for Kids Ride Free. The program covers all publicly funded DC schools — DCPS and charter alike. Charter school students receive cards through their school.
Does Kids Ride Free work for private school students in DC?+
Yes. DC residents enrolled at private, parochial, Episcopal, Catholic, or independent schools in Washington DC are eligible for Kids Ride Free. The process may differ slightly — contact your school administration or visit a DC DMV service center to obtain your card.
What happens if a Kids Ride Free card is lost or stolen?+
Report a lost or stolen card to your school immediately. Schools can issue replacement cards. You can also report the card lost through WMATA's SmarTrip system at smartrip.wmata.com to protect the balance and request a replacement.