Kids Ride Free
Mayor Muriel Bowser established and championed KRF to ensure that enrolled District students who are District residents can get to school and school-related activities for free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and the DC Circulator.
The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows students to ride for free on Metrobus, the DC Circulator, and Metrorail within the District to get to school and school-related activities.
To be eligible, students must be:
- a resident of the District of Columbia
- between the ages 5 and 21
- enrolled in an elementary or secondary public, private, charter or parochial school located within the District; or a ward of DC through the Foster Care System.
2019 - 2020 School Year
The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program continues to grow! In School Year 2019-2020, DC students will receive a new SmarTrip Card for traveling to school and school-related activities that have been designed specially for them. The new cards will be sent directly to all D.C. public and charter schools for distribution starting August 26, 2019. Students can collect their new School Year 2019-2020 SmarTrip cards from their school ID administrators like they did during the last school year.
School Year 2018-2019 Kids Ride Free SmarTrip card (last year’s card) is valid until September 30, 2019.
Remember: No Card, No Free Ride
Students taking Metrobus, Metrorail, or DC Circulator to school should always have their Kids Ride Free SmarTrip card with them or be prepared to pay the regular fare for their trip.
Required Documentation
If you are a student at a Public or Charter School, please bring your:
- Current DC One Card, OR
- Student ID/USI number, OR
- Report Card, OR
- Enrollment Information, OR
- Driver’s License
If you are a parent of a student at a Public or Charter School, please bring with you:
- Your government-issued ID card AND the student’s birth certificate.
- If you are a student or a parent of a student attending a Private School or Home-Schooled student, please bring with you:
- Your government-issued ID card, AND
- Proof of DC Residence
If you are a student or a parent of a student attending a Private School or Home-Schooled student, please bring with you:
- Your government-issued ID card, AND
- Proof of DC Residence
For more information, please review the Kids Ride Free Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the KRF program, please contact your school’s card administrator or the District Department of Transportation’s School Transit Subsidy Office at (202) 673-1740.
