Baltimore City Students Can Now Ride MTA Transit For Free Anytime

MTA Holiday Bus — Source: Courtesy of MTA / Courtesy of MTA

Baltimore City Public School students can now ride most Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) vehicles for free at any time, thanks to a major policy shift announced by the agency.

Previously, student OneCards, provided at no cost by the state, were only valid for travel during school hours, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Now, the passes can be used 24/7, allowing students easier access to after-school programs, jobs, and other opportunities outside the traditional school day.

“Increasing transit access benefits riders and is critical to the economic prosperity of our entire region,” said Holly Arnold, Maryland Transit Administrator. “These changes are another example of our efforts to support the next generation of transit riders.”

About 25,000 students receive OneCards, although it’s unclear how many rely on MTA for daily transportation. A Baltimore Banner investigation earlier this year found that many city students face chronic delays and difficulty commuting to school using state-run transit.

The new policy is part of a broader set of fare updates taking effect Sunday:

Kids 12 and under ride free on most MTA buses and trains, regardless of school enrollment.
CharmPass app tickets now stay valid for two hours (up from 90 minutes), giving riders more time to transfer.
Reduced college fare programs now include students at private colleges and universities.
New discounted fare option for riders who qualify for SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Light Rail fare enforcement is being stepped up, with a $5 surcharge for anyone caught riding without a valid ticket.

The fare changes do not apply to commuter-focused services like the MARC train.

Despite the push for accessibility, MTA is struggling financially. Farebox recovery—the share of operating expenses covered by ticket sales—has dropped from 20% pre-pandemic to under 10% in 2024, according to state and federal data. That’s in line with similar-sized cities like Minneapolis but lags behind major systems like New York’s MTA, which recouped 44% of costs from fares in 2023.

Standard MTA fares remain $2 for a one-way ride and $4.60 for a day pass.