Lubbock residents are getting robbed on public transport fares, study finds

LUBBOCK (KDAF) — A new study by Metropolitan Shuttle has ranked Texas cities based on public transportation costs, revealing significant price differences across the state. The research analyzed average fares per mile across all forms of public transport in Texas urban areas. 

Lubbock topped the list as the most expensive city for public transport at $0.98 per mile. In total, Lubbock has collected $5,168,576 in fares from its public transport system, and the average trip is 2.37 miles long. According to Reddit, locals have pointed out the lack of sidewalks and how car-dependent Lubbock is with only nine lines servicing the city. 

Waco followed at $0.66 per mile, while Laredo ranked third most expensive at $0.40 per mile. Laredo’s average fare per trip is $1.44, with the average trip being 3.63 miles long, while Waco’s average trip fare comes in at $2.20. Waco has ten bus routes that cover normal working hours to allow employees to catch the bus instead of driving. 

McKinney-Frisco charges $0.35 per mile, landing in fourth place. The average trip length in this UZA is 8.65 miles, leading to an average fare per trip of $3.02. While there are public transit options such as DART, these are not all inter-city.  

The Denton-Lewisville area charges $0.29 per mile, placing it in the middle at fifth place. Options for transport include the A-Train as a direct route, and GoZone On-Demand, an app-based ride-sharing service that allows for travel between areas during specific times. 

The Galveston-Texas City area tied with Brownsville at $0.17 per mile, placing them sixth in the rankings. Galveston has a fixed-route service for passengers, while Texas City is serviced by the Gulf Coast Transit District. With no direct routes, the average fare for the Galveston-Texas City UZA per trip is $0.51. Brownsville, however, operates 12 bus routes and has a slightly higher average fare per trip of $0.78. 

Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington tied in seventh place, both costing $0.15 per mile. This rate is 85% cheaper than Lubbock but still nearly four times more expensive than McAllen. El Paso followed closely in eighth at $0.14 per mile. 

College Station–Bryan ranked ninth most affordable at $0.13 per mile, making it relatively economical for the student population it serves. Two routes link the cities, but the area as a whole is well-served by public transport. 

San Antonio offers slightly better value at $0.12 per mile, placing it tenth in the rankings. Services in the downtown area have a bus arriving every 20 minutes or less, providing speedy accessibility for residents. 

Houston stands out with particularly affordable public transit at $0.10 per mile, ranking eleventh overall. Served by METRO, Houston has multiple routes inside of the 610 loop that allow residents to access the city. 

McAllen emerged as the clear winner for budget-conscious travelers, with public transportation costing just $0.04 per mile. This rate makes it the most affordable transit option in Texas, with fares 96% lower than the most expensive city. 

Texas Cities Ranked by Public Transportation Fare Cost Per Mile 

Rank	City or Urbanized Area	Average fare per mile
1	Lubbock, TX	$0.98
2	Waco, TX	$0.66
3	Laredo, TX	$0.40
4	McKinney-Frisco, TX	$0.35
5	Denton-Lewisville, TX	$0.29
=6	Brownsville, TX	$0.17
=6	Galveston-Texas City, TX	$0.17
=7	Austin, TX	$0.15
=7	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$0.15
8	El Paso, TX–NM	$0.14
9	College Station-Bryan, TX	$0.13
10	San Antonio, TX	$0.12
11	Houston, TX	$0.10
12	Corpus Christi, TX	$0.09
13	Killeen, TX	$0.05
14	McAllen, TX	$0.04

Transit advocates suggest that lower fares might increase ridership, potentially reducing traffic congestion in major urban areas. According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, public transportation is vital for many Texans, particularly for work, healthcare, and shopping. The study found that fare affordability directly impacts ridership levels, with lower-cost systems typically seeing higher per-capita usage.