No matter where you’re going in Houston, it usually takes money.

Especially for those who ride Metro.

At the Star of Hope, caseworkers hand out small tokens to help some clients get to appointments and job interviews.

The tokens, worth a dollar each, are used for Metro fares.

“It will help them get on the bus to get them to their necessary destination,” Star of Hope case worker Ural Williams said.But under new plans, Metro will change the system for charities. 

In the past, they could purchase the tokens from Metro at a discount.  But now the dollar tokens will become a thing of the past, replaced by $5 vouchers.

11 News

Williams says that’s a bit much for charities to just give away.

“They can abuse the system with it. They could sell it or it could become a temptation,” he said.

A temptation that could mean a ride to anywhere in the city at the organization’s expense.

In response to the plan, several non-profit groups like Star of Hope have written letters expressing concern over the change.

They want the dollar amount lowered to one or two dollar increments – just enough for a trip to one place and back.

“This is very important to us,” Williams said.

The changes aren’t scheduled to take place until the end of March.  The charities are hoping they still have enough time to convince Metro to change the plan.

A Metro spokeswoman said officials are sympathetic to the problem.

“We will be talking with these agencies to develop an alternative that best serves both our needs,” she said in a statement.

The charities hope those needs aren’t overlooked, considering how much they have riding on the outcome.