Kids Ride Free Program

The Kids Ride Free program ensures that enrolled DC student residents are able to travel within the District at no cost.

The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows students to ride for free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and the DC Circulator while traveling within the District.

To be eligible for participation in the KRF program, each student must be:

• A resident of the District of Columbia, and
• Ages 5 through 21, and
• Enrolled in an elementary or secondary public, charter, private or parochial school located within the District or youth in the care of the District.

School Year 2023- 2024

In School Year 2023-2024, DC students can request a new SmarTrip Card for traveling on public transit systems within the District. A supply of the new cards will be sent directly to all DC public and charter schools for distribution to eligible students. Students can collect their new School Year 2023-2024 KRF SmarTrip cards from their school ID administrators like they did during the last school year.

DC PCSB and Kids Ride Free

DC PCSB acts as a liaison between District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and DC Public Charter School LEAs and campuses throughout the district. DC PCSB coordinates and facilitates the distribution of KRF Field Trip Cards to DC Public Charter Schools.

1. Schools will submit a field trip request via this form at least three weeks in advance of the scheduled field trip
2. DC PCSB will acknowledge the request within 48 hours (two business days) either by telephone or email and determine eligibility and inventory prior to scheduling pick up by the school
3. DC PCSB will coordinate pick up time and date with the school for a representative to pick-up the KRF field trip cards from the DC PCSB office.
4. DC PCSB will send a memo via DocuSign to the school confirming the number of KRF cards being released and returned and the return deadline. (If you do not receive the DocuSign confirmation within 24 hours, please alert Courtney Hall:chall@dcpcsb.org)
5. Schools will return the same number of cards to the DC PCSB office within five business days of the scheduled field trip.

Parameters:

1. Schools cannot borrow more than 100 cards at a time.
2. Schools must submit requests via the Google Form; Email requests cannot be guaranteed.

For questions, contact DC PCSB's KRF Point of Contact, Courtney Hall at chall@dcpcsb.org.

Remember: No Card, No Free Ride

Students riding Metrobus, Metrorail, or DC Circulator should always have their Kids Ride Free SmarTrip card with them or be prepared to pay the regular fare for their trip. In addition, students should always TAP their card on the METRO fare gate or Metrobus fare box.

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 ID Administrator or the District Department of Transportation’s School Transit Subsidy Program Office at (202) 673-1740 or school.transit@dc.gov