Homeschool benefits and savings in El Paso
Children ages 6-18 ride Sun Metro buses in El Paso for $1.00 a trip instead of the $1.50 standard fare, and children 5 and under ride free with an adult. The fare is based on age, not school enrollment, so a homeschooled child qualifies with proof of age if the driver asks.
Who qualifies
Is 6 to 18 years old
The child fare covers ages 6 through 18. Children 5 and under ride free when an adult is with them.
Carries proof of age
An ID is not required, but Sun Metro strongly encourages a student ID or Sun Metro ID because drivers can ask for proof of age.
Shows a student ID after 18
Students older than 18 pay the student fare only with a valid student ID.
What the fare saves
Sun Metro's Fares and Passes page lists these prices for fixed routes and Brio.
- Child fare, ages 6-18
- $1.00
- Standard fare
- $1.50
- Student weekly pass (standard $12)
- $7
- Student monthly pass (standard $48)
- $30
- Student tokens, 10 pack
- $10.00
- Transfer within 2 hours
- Free
How to ride for less
- Before you ride
Bring proof of age
Have a student ID, a Sun Metro ID, or another document showing your child's age in case the driver asks.
- At the farebox
Pay the child fare
Pay $1.00 for a one-way trip on a fixed route or Brio bus.
- When you board
Ask for a transfer
Request a free transfer from the driver when you get on if your trip needs a second route. It is good for one use within two hours.
- For regular riders
Buy a pass
Buy weekly or monthly passes at ticket offices, ticket vending machines, or by mail. All passes are final sale.
What it includes
Included
- Sun Metro fixed routes
- Brio
- Free transfers within two hours
Not included
- Refunds on passes
- Transfers back on the same route
- LIFT paratransit fares
Good to know
Call to confirm which ID to show
The fare page asks only students over 18 for a student ID, so call Sun Metro to confirm which ID your homeschooled child should show for student passes and tokens.
Who to contact about fares
Sun Metro answers questions about fares, passes, and Sun Metro ID cards.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Texas
You do not have to file a homeschool notice to the state.
Texas sets these rules:
- Subjects: Instruction in Texas must include reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship.
- Testing: No routine annual homeschool standardized test is required. UIL participation and public-school transfer can have separate testing requirements.
- Records: Texas does not require homeschool records, but keeping them is recommended.
- Teachers: Texas does not require homeschool parents to hold a teaching certificate.
Texas also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) awards $2,000 a year to selected home-education students for approved expenses. Applications for 2026-27 closed March 31, 2026; families who missed that cycle can join the 2027-28 interest list.
Read the Texas homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Texas
Questions parents ask
- Do Sun Metro transfers cost extra?
- No. Ask the driver for a free transfer when you board; it is good for one use within two hours, but not back on the same route.
- Is a pass cheaper than paying each trip?
- Yes, if your child rides more than 30 trips a month. A student monthly pass costs $30 for unlimited rides for one month from first use, and the child fare is $1.00 a trip.
- Can I get a refund on an unused pass?
- No. All Sun Metro passes are final sale and nonrefundable.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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