Free Metrobus Passes Coming for Alexandria Middle and High School Students
New four-year pilot will cover eligible ACPS students on Metrobus throughout the region, not just trips to school.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria middle- and high-school students will soon have a new way to reach school, jobs, activities and destinations around the Washington region without paying a Metrobus fare.
The City’s new ALX Student Pass is a specially programmed SmarTrip card that eligible Alexandria City Public Schools students can use on every WMATA Metrobus route. The four-year pilot spans the 2026–27 through 2029–30 school years.
Students can use the card for more than school transportation. It works for Metrobus trips to jobs, after-school activities and other destinations. The free benefit does not include Metrorail; riders can add their own stored value for rail trips. DASH buses already operate fare-free.
In a Nov. 6 article, Theogony student journalist Petra Evans reported that the cards were in testing, with distribution targeted for November. The City confirms fall distribution but has not announced a firm school-by-school date.
Students should follow ACPS notices and the City’s official Student Pass page for instructions. They must tap the card when boarding so the City and Metro can measure use and evaluate the pilot.
The Zebra independently checked the program details with the City’s published information. Credit: Petra Evans, Theogony, for first reporting the current distribution update.
