How to ride using the Student iRide Program

Student riders interested in riding transit in Arlington are encouraged to join the iRide program. The Student iRide Program aims to broaden transportation options for Arlington students enrolled in kindergarten to 12th grade and aligns with ART's ongoing commitment to fostering accessible and economical transit solutions. 

With enrollment to the iRide program comes lots of freedom and responsibility to students; ART  encourages students to take pride in their free ride by reviewing this program page and the iRide use policy page. before starting their transit journey! 

What is the iRide program?

• The Student iRide SmarTrip card allows Arlington K-12 students to ride the ART bus and select Metrobus routes at no cost to the student. An iRide card must be tapped on board the bus to get a free ride. 
• Students traditionally must pay $1.10 per ride on ART, per current fare policy, and 2.25 per ride on Metrobus. ART will never leave a student stranded at a stop, however, please see Metrobus fare evasion policy. As transit police can issue fines up to $100 in Virgina for students riding without a fare card. 

How can I get an iRide Card?

•  APS middle and high school students can contact the Transportation Coordinator (TC) onsite at their school requesting the online registration form for new AND replacement cards. Cards will be delivered 1-4 weeks after filing the form.
• Elementary, homeschooled, and private school students can get a new card at any Commuter Store in Arlington. For replacement cards, please use the Contact Us page. 
• All students must have proof of enrollment in K-12. This can be 
  • a valid Arlington County student ID
  • StudentVue or Parentvue, or other online portal of home/private school program.
• Requests for new or replacement card will require filling out the registration form (PDF). 
• Don’t lose your card! Students only will get 3 replacement cards before probation from the program begins. At this time 6 months until you can register again. Replacements are not available to APS students during summer break.
• The Student iRide card works on all Arlington Transit routes and select Metrobus routes detailed below:

 *Metrobus Limited Express routes are excluded from the iRide program, and students will be charged the regular fee for riding. 
 

Getting to School

Find out how to get to your school using transit, biking, or walking here. Click on the links next to your school to see which bus routes and other car free options are available to you. Search for routes and plan your trip by using the Moovit App, the Transit App, Google, and/or Apple Maps. These resources will also provide real-time arrival, informing you of when the next bus or train will arrive at your stop. For ART-specific real-time arrival click here. For additional information, look for the iRide kiosk at your school and contact your school's transportation coordinator.

Middle Schools

Dorothy Hamm – Car-Free Transportation Options                                                                                                 
Bus Service to Dorothy Ham: ART 53, 55, 56

Gunston – Car-Free Transportation Options                                                                                                           
Bus Service to Gunston: ART 87; DASH: 103, 36A, 36B; Metrobus: A11, A12

Jefferson – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Thomas Jefferson: ART 41; Metrobus A11, A12

Kenmore – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Kenmore: ART 75

Swanson – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Swanson:  Metrobus F50

Williamsburg – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Williamsburg: ART 52; Metrobus A12

High Schools

Arlington Community – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Arlington Community:  ART 41, 42, 45, 74, 77; Metrobus A12, A40

Bishop O'Connell High School – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Bishop O'Connell:  ART 52

Wakefield – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Wakefield: ART 75; DASH 31

Washington-Liberty – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to W-L: ART 42, 51, 52, 56, 72, 75; Metrobus A11, A12, A58

Yorktown – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Yorktown: ART 51, 52, 55

Other Secondary Programs

Arlington Career Center – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to Career Center: ART 41, ART 45, ART 77; Metrobus A12, F44, A40

Langston/New Directions – Car-Free Transportation Options
Bus Service to New Directions: ART 51, ART 52, ART 55, ART 72

The Heights Building (H-B Woodlawn & Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program) Car-Free Transportation Options  
Bus Service to the Heights Building: ART 41,43, 45, 55, 77; Metrobus: A58, F62; Metrorail: Rosslyn, Court House

Quick links

Registration Form
Bring the completed with you to a Commuter Store or give it to your School Transportation Coordinator.

School Transportaion Coordinators APS

Student iRide SmarTrip Card FAQs
Frequently-asked questions about the Student iRide SmarTrip Card.

Car-Free Near Me
Plan your trip ahead of time with this map-based tool. See bus stops close to your start and end points, and plan transfers with Metrorail and Capital Bikeshare.

PDF Schedules
Get printable schedules for ART, Metrobus and other local bus routes in Northern Virginia.