JUNE 2025 UPDATE: New LCS program cards cannot be issued during summer break. The LCS STAR agreement will be available again when the school year resumes.

STAR cards are required for all K-12 Fare-Free rides. Are you still waiting for your card? Please contact your school administrative office or email StarProgram@Talgov.com.

About the Program

StarMetro’s STAR Program provides fare-free rides on public transportation to participating K-12 students in Leon County.

Students must have a signed agreement on file and a valid STAR card to ride fare-free. The agreement and pass are valid until graduation or at any point a student is no longer enrolled in school.

Sixth to twelfth grade students may ride the bus independently.

Kindergarten through fifth grade students within Leon County must be accompanied by a sixth grade or older sibling, legal guardian, or parental designee.

All K-12 students are qualified for reduced fare when riding without a STAR card.

Students must have $0.60 ready at the time of boarding and identify themselves to the bus driver. Bus drivers are allowed to request proof of age or school enrollment for unaccompanied students.

STAR card is for individual student/K-12 use only, and is not transferable to family members. All adults accompanying students must pay their own fare.

How to Get Started

LCS Students

StarMetro partners with Leon County Schools (LCS) to make free transportation available to all students in the public school system, including LCS charter schools. All LCS schools are listed in the LCS School Directory.

To opt into the STAR Program, parents of LCS students must submit a program agreement through the Parent Portal for each eligible student. To maintain your privacy, these agreements are not shared with StarMetro. The LCS Safety & Security Office creates blue and white STAR cards for LCS students.

Note: New LCS program cards are unavailable during summer break.

Parents can access instructions and a link to the Parent Portal using the blue button below. Allow five (5) business days for the card to be delivered to the student’s school.

Non-LCS Students

Parents of non-LCS students, including students that are homeschooled or attend private schools, must fill out the StarMetro application using the red button below. 

The parent will be notified via email when the STAR card is available for pickup at one of two locations:

• C.K. Steele Bus Plaza at 111 W. Tennessee St.
• StarMetro Office at 555 Appleyard Drive

Replacement Cards

Leon County Schools (LCS) can print replacement STAR cards for students who already have a STAR agreement on file. Please contact (850) 487-7293 to request a replacement card or to get more information.

StarMetro can print replacement STAR cards for non-LCS students who already have a STAR agreement on file. There is a $3 fee for all replacement cards.

Even if a replacement card is not needed, please send an email to StarProgram@Talgov.com if a StarMetro STAR card is lost, stolen, or damaged.

How to Ride the Bus

If your child is new to riding StarMetro, here is a guide on how to ride the bus!

• Plan your trip in advance! Find the nearest route that goes to your destination and locate timetables. View all route maps and tables online or download trip planning apps.
• Determine which bus stop is your starting point, then plan to be there at least five minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive.
• While the bus is approaching, show that you want to board. You can do this by standing up, picking up your belongings, and making eye contact with the driver.
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for any passengers to exit before attempting to board through the front door.
• Have your valid STAR card ready and be prepared to show your card to the bus driver if they ask to see it. Swipe or tap the card on the farebox and find a place to sit.
• All seats are open to everyone, but be prepared to move seats if someone with a disability, wheelchair, or small child needs to sit near the front.
• Press the red button / yellow tape or pull the yellow cord near the window to signal to the bus driver that you wish to get off at the next stop.
• Collect all of your belongings, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop, and exit through the closest door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Student Code of Conduct

General Rules:

1. Stand at least five feet from the street at the bus stop. Wait until the door opens to approach the bus. Only enter the bus at the front door.
2. Use pedestrian crosswalks whenever possible. If there is no crosswalk available, be sure that the road is clear of traffic in both directions before crossing a roadway. When needing to cross the road, never cross in front of the bus. Cars DO NOT STOP for public buses.
3. If you can't see the driver, they can't see you. For safety, make sure you can always be seen while waiting for the bus, boarding the bus, or riding the bus.
4. While on the bus, students will respect the authority of the bus driver and always obey their directions.
5. Be respectful to the driver and other patrons on the bus, including the privacy of others.
6. Always use ordinary quiet conversation and classroom conduct while on the bus.
7. Safety problems will not be tolerated and may result in calling parents, guardians, Tallahassee Police Department, or a School Resource Officer.
8. Refrain from foul language, racial slurs, bullying, fighting, or making obscene gestures.
9. Always keep hands, feet, arms, head, and all personal belongings to yourself.
10. Do not throw wastepaper or garbage on the floor or otherwise litter, mark, deface or damage any part of the bus.
11. Nothing may be thrown into, within, out of or at the bus.
12. Do not tamper with the windows.
13. Do not stand or sit in the service doorstep well.
14. Do not sit or climb on top of the seat, lay down or stand on the bus seats.
15. Remain quiet during bus announcements or a railroad crossing procedure.
16. Electronic devices, including smart phones, MP3 players and tablets may be used while riding the bus; however, riders must always use headphones and remain attentive of upcoming bus stops.
17. Band instruments, projects, athletic performance equipment and other large objects must be held in the student's lap.
18. All athletic equipment needs to be in a backpack, book bag or an athletic bag. This includes a skateboard, baseball glove, baseball bat, baseball, basketball, pool stick, tennis racket, tennis ball, etc.
19. Always keep all your belongings with you, do not leave your electronics, purses, or backpacks unattended. StarMetro is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen property.
20. If you are uncomfortable with another passenger or having health issues, tell the driver immediately.

Prohibited Behaviors and Actions:

1. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, bullying, pushing, shoving, calling names, cursing, obscene gestures, fighting, or other aggressive behavior. Behavior that makes any student or patron feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
2. Eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking, or vaping. This includes all types of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vapes. Closed containers of food and drink must remain closed while riding.
3. Loose or inappropriately housed animals. This applies to any animals that are loose (even on leash) or in boxes, purses, bags, and wire cages or kennels. Service animals may not freely roam and must be under the owner’s control at all times.
4. Small, loose, or distracting objects or toys. Anything that can become a distraction for the driver or that could be a tripping hazard or cause harm to other passengers. Examples: Small toys, bouncy balls, sticky hands, laser lights, toy guns, flashing lights, noisy or reflective fidget toys, noisemakers, and party poppers.
5. Glass bottles, breakable containers, and other fragile items. Aerosol cans such as deodorant, hairspray, or perfume need to stay in the student's backpack or purse.
6. Purposefully evading program requirements. Refusing to show a STAR card to a StarMetro employee or attempting to use a STAR card that is expired or belongs to someone else will result in a warning for first offense, a report to dispatch for second offense, and suspension off the bus for third offense. Repeated attempts to evade paying fare may result in an individual being removed from the STAR program and/or formally trespassed from StarMetro buses and property.