About QuickRide
Remember, Two Heads Are Better Than One

Ride the Northwest Freeway (290) and Katy HOV lanes with a friend for just $2 each way

Get to work on the double with METRO's QuickRide service. Thanks to this special program, there are two ways to carpool on the Northwest Freeway (290) during morning rush hour and on the Katy Freeway HOV lanes during morning and evening rush hours. Use each lane as part of a 3+ carpool and ride for free. Or for $2 each way, ride to work with just one other person. For the Northwest Freeway, use the inbound entrance between 6:45-8 a.m. For the Katy Freeway, use the inbound entrance between 6:45-8 a.m. and the outbound entrance between 5-6 p.m. Why ride alone and bother with frustrating commuter congestion when the QuickRide service lets you beat traffic, skip stress and best of all, gets you to and from work in no time. And since your commute time will be much faster, you can leave for work later and arrive home earlier, enjoying more free time as well.

First Things First

Here's how the program works: Find a friend and form a carpool. (The QuickRide program is not available to single occupant vehicles.) Then, you'll need to fill out an application . You may print the application online or call METRO RideShare at 713-224-RIDE or toll free at 1-888-606-RIDE.

Life in the Fast Lane

Once METRO approves your application, we will mail you an Auto ID (a rearview mirror hang tag) and a METRO Trip Tag (a small, credit card-sized transponder which you must attach to the inside of your windshield). The Trip Tag will be "read" each time you use the 290 or Katy HOV lanes. An initial balance for our QuickRide service is $40. The cost is $2 each way, and will be deducted from your prepaid balance of $40 as you use it. Whenever your balance falls below $10, your credit card will be charged to bring the balance back to $40. You will receive a monthly statement reflecting all trip costs and credit card charges.

Getting Started

Your account will need to be secured with a credit card, and charges will be billed to your credit card covering the $15 one-time Trip Tag deposit, $2.50 monthly service fee and the initial $40 charge to open your METRO QuickRide account. Then, we will mail you a Trip Tag, an Auto ID and more information about the QuickRide program. Should you already have a Harris County Toll Road Authority EZ tag, you'll still need to follow the same application process, but we won't send or charge you for a Trip Tag. For billing purposes, METRO will need your EZ TAG number so that it can be entered into your METRO QuickRide account information.

HOV Lane Schedules

Days Open	Hours of Operation	Direction	Minimum Capacity
Mon. - Fri.	5 to 6:45 a.m.	inbound	2
	*6:45 to 8 a.m.*	*inbound*	3
	*QuickRide*		2
	8 to 11 a.m.	inbound	2
	2 to 5 p.m.	outbound	2
	*5 to 6 p.m.**	*outbound*	3
	*QuickRide**		2
	6 to 8 p.m.	outbound	2
Saturday*	5 a.m. to 8 p.m.	outbound	2
Sunday*	5 a.m. to 8 p.m.	inbound	2

* Applies only to the Katy HOV Lane

If you need further information about HOV Lanes, direct your e-mail to cp02@ridemetro.org.