Photo Credit: The Woodlands TownshipNews
Ride Transit for Free Every Friday in September across the Texas Gulf Coast Region
The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s (H-GAC) Commute Solutions program and regional transit partners are offering free bus rides every Friday in September to encourage residents to choose public transportation during Ozone Action Month. Through the Free Fare Fridays program, riders can save money, reduce vehicle emissions, and help improve air quality across the region.
This year, the program expands to include additional communities through a partnership with Gulf Coast Transit District bringing free transit options to residents in Brazoria and Galveston counties. Participating transit providers across the region are offering free rides to encourage more people to choose public transportation as an alternative to driving alone.
“Choosing transit is one of the easiest ways residents can help reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality,” said Jamila Owens, assistant director of Transportation at H-GAC. “Free Fare Fridays gives people an opportunity to try transit, discover available services, and see how one small change can make a difference for our region.”
Where to Ride Free
Residents can ride free every Friday in September on participating routes from:
- Gulf Coast Transit District
- Harris County Transit
- Fort Bend Transit
- The Woodlands Township Transit
- Conroe Connection Transit
Details, schedules, and participating routes are available at yourcommutesolution.org/breathe.
Why Transit Matters
Transportation is a major source of air pollution in the Houston-Galveston region. In fact, on a regular workday with high-traffic activity, 60 percent of ground-level ozone contributions come from vehicular traffic emissions according to the 2023 National Emissions Inventory developed by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Choosing transit, carpooling, vanpooling, or combining trips can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and lower emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone.
Free Fare Fridays also gives residents a chance to explore transit options they may not have used before and find convenient ways to travel throughout the region.
More Ways to Improve Houston Air Quality
Along with riding transit, residents can help reduce ozone pollution by:
- Carpooling or vanpooling when transit is not available
- Avoiding engine idling while parked
- Keeping vehicles maintained for better fuel efficiency
- Fueling up in the evening to reduce emissions
- Combining trips to drive less
About Free Fare Fridays
Free Fare Fridays is a partnership between H-GAC’s Commute Solutions program, TxDOT, Harris County METRO, Fort Bend County, The Woodlands Township, the city of Conroe, and Gulf Coast Transit District. The program is supported by Air Alliance Houston, Houston ConnectSmart, and METRO Vanpool. For full details, visit yourcommutesolution.org/breathe.
Source: Houston-Galveston Area Council
