Houston Metro

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (stylized as METRO) is a major public transportation agency based in Houston, Texas, United States. It operates bus, light rail, bus rapid transit, HOV and HOT lanes, and paratransit service (under the name METROLift) in the city as well as most of Harris County. It also operates bus service to two cities in Fort Bend County, and to Conroe in Montgomery County. The Metro headquarters are in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 60,121,300, or about 220,200 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2023.

Not to be confused with Greater Houston.
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
Overview
LocaleHouston, Texas, U.S.
Transit typeBus, light rail, paratransit, express lanes
Number of lines83 local bus routes
31 commuter bus routes
3 light rail lines
1 community connector
1 bus rapid transit line
Number of stations44 (light rail)
12 (bus rapid transit)
27 (park and rides)
21 (transit centers)
Daily ridership220,200 (weekdays, Q2 2023)[1]
Annual ridership60,121,300 (2022)[2]
Headquarters1900 Main St. Lee P. Brown Administration Building
Downtown Houston, Texas
Websiteridemetro.org
Operation
Began operationJanuary 1, 1979 (44 years ago)
Number of vehicles1,233 (bus)
76 (light rail)[3]

History
Louisiana Place (now Total Plaza), the previous Metro headquarters

The Texas State Legislature authorized the creation of local transit authorities in 1973. In 1978, Houston-area voters created Metro and approved a one-cent sales tax to support its operations. Metro opened for business in January 1979, taking over the bus service owned by the City of Houston known as HouTran. HouTran was plagued by outdated equipment, infrequent service and a route structure which failed to account for Houston's rapid population growth.[4]

Metro's service area encompasses 1,285 square miles (3,330 km2)[5] and also serves portions of an eight-county region with its vanpool service; the agency employs about 3,800 people.[4]

Executive leadership

Tom Lambert is the current President and CEO of the agency. Lambert was formally appointed in February 2014, although he had been operating as the agency's interim CEO since the beginning of 2013.[6] Lambert, a Houston native with a political science degree from Southwest Texas State University and master's in public administration from the University of Houston, joined Metro as a security investigator in 1979. He was named agency police chief in 1982, ultimately overseeing close to 100 officers, then moved into higher ranks of management.[7]

The Metro Board has nine members – five are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Houston City Council, two are appointed by Harris County Commissioners Court, and two are appointed by the 14 mayors of Metro's smaller city members.

Metro Bus
New Hybrid Bus in Houston Metro livery by Motor Coach Industries D4500CTH
METRO bus for routes with low ridership.
METRO bus in 2022

Metro's local bus service usually runs on city streets, typically stopping at every other corner along its entire route. The bus system is the most used in Texas and the Southwest region. Metro also operates express bus routes on the Houston region's freeway high-occupancy vehicle lanes, which stop at park-and-ride lots.

Prior to the construction of Metrorail, Metro consisted of the largest all-bus fleet in the United States, only because Houston was the largest major city devoid of any rail transit since 1990.

Circa 1991 bus services for handicapped people were implemented.[8]

In 2015, the bus system was redesigned, eliminating low-ridership routes in favor of a high-frequency, high-demand bus network. This change was accomplished without any increase in operating costs.[9]

Service types
Metro Quickline
  • Local: Most Metro buses typically operate on city streets, with the majority of routes serving several of Houston's major employment centers. The routes are grid-like "crosstown" routes that travel from one part of the city to another, typically without entering downtown. Many routes were truncated to METRORail stations to eliminate duplicate service.
  • Express: A local limited stop service that serves key destinations but travel nonstop on freeway segments. They were formerly categorized as Limited prior to the 2015 restructuring of bus routes.
  • Park and Ride (Commuter): Metro operates express service between major destinations and outlying areas via high-occupancy vehicle lanes on regional freeways. Buses on these routes stop at park-and-ride lots, which also serve as transit centers.
  • Bus Rapid Transit: A pilot program introduced on June 1, 2009, to provide faster service with upgraded buses and fewer, more modern stops to busy corridors, beginning with a supplement of Route 2 (Bellaire), 402 Quickline Bellaire BRT. The second route in this system was a replacement of Route 33 (Post Oak), 433 Silver Line Post Oak BRT, which unlike Route 402, utilizes an exclusive busway for a majority of the route. The next planned line is the University Line, which is planned to start construction in 2025 and open in 2029.

Routes

Metro's bus routes are numbered based on their service type and arranged in a grid. On August 24, 2015, Metro revamped their entire bus network with new routes and frequent service.[10] Under the new network, all local routes run 7 days a week with the exception of two express routes.

Metro provided the free Greenlink shuttle services in Downtown Houston, but discontinued the service in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Metro's express and commuter buses consist of 45-foot (14 m) MCI and New Flyer "Viking" buses, which have reclining seats, small individual lights, as well as small air conditioning vents for each seat. Viking buses went out of service in May 2015.

List of routes
  • 2-99: Local routes
  • 102-162: Express routes
  • 202-298: Park and Ride routes
  • 309-399: Shuttle and curb2curb routes
  • 402, 433: Bus rapid transit (BRT) routes
  • Red indicated 15 minute-or-better frequencies
  • Blue indicated 15-30 minute frequencies
  • Green indicates 30-60 minute frequencies
  • Yellow indicates express bus routes
  • Gray indicates Park & Ride express routes or shuttles with no defined frequency
  • Coral indicates BRT (bus rapid transit) routes

Multiple colors indicate that portions of the route have different frequencies from one another. Italics indicate former routes.

Route # Route Name Terminal 1 Terminal 2 via Length Ridership (FY 2023)[12] Notes
1 Hospital Eliminated in 2015 due to new route system
2 Bellaire Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Juniper Point
Mission Bend Transit Center		 Bellaire Blvd (Holcombe Blvd) 14.3 miles (23.0 km) 1,937,131 [13]
3 Langley-Little York Fairbanks/Northwest Crossing
Hollister Street & Little York Road		 Northside Village
Burnett Transit Center		 W Little York Rd 27.2 miles (43.8 km) 518,411
4 Beechnut Greater Eastwood
Eastwood Transit Center		 Juniper Point
Mission Bend Transit Center		 Ennis St, Beechnut St 22.3 miles (35.9 km) 2,105,502
5 Southmore Midtown
Wheeler Transit Center		 Allendale
Flagstone Terrace and South Richey Street		 Southmore Blvd, Griggs Dr, Long Dr 14.8 miles (23.8 km) 325,940
6 Jensen/Greens Downtown
Downtown Transit Center		 Greater Greenspoint
Greenspoint Transit Center		 Jensen Dr, Greens Rd 25.6 miles (41.2 km) 968,350
7 West Airport Willow Meadows
West Loop Transit Center		 Greater Fondren Southwest
Fondren Meadow Drive & Gessner Road		 Airport Drive 6.3 miles (10.1 km) 211,315
8 West Bellfort South Main
Fannin South Transit Center		 Greater Fondren Southwest
West Bellfort Park and Ride		 Bellfort Street (West) 10.3 miles (16.6 km) 856,180
9 Gulfton/Holman Greater Eastwood
Eastwood Transit Center		 Sharpstown
Bonhomme Road & Clarewood Drive		 Holman Av, US 59, Gulfton St 15.5 miles (24.9 km) 622,242
10 Willowbend Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Greater Fondren Southwest
Sandpiper Drive & Willowbend Boulevard		 Holcombe Blvd, Stella Link Rd, Willowbend Blvd 9.1 miles (14.6 km) 162,358
11 Almeda/Lyons Central Southwest
Hiram Clarke Transit Center		 Northshore
Dividend Street & Currency Street		 Almeda Rd, Lyons Av 21.6 miles (34.8 km) 648,627
12 Allen House
13 Plaza del Oro Circulator
14 Hiram Clarke Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Central Southwest
Hiram Clarke Transit Center		 Main St, Hiram Clarke Rd 9.5 miles (15.3 km) 453,014
15 Fulton
16 Memorial
17 Gulfton
18 Kirby Eliminated in 2015 due to new route system
19 Wilcrest Eliminated in 2015 due to new route system
20 Canal/Memorial Bellaire
Chimney Rock Road & Bellaire Boulevard		 Magnolia Park
Magnolia Park Transit Center		 S Rice Av, Memorial Dr (East), Canal St 18.7 miles (30.1 km) 596,206
21 Northshore Limited
22 Almeda
23 Clay-West 43rd Northline
Northline Transit Center		 Spring Branch Central
Pitner Road & Roma Street		 West 43rd St 9.1 miles (14.6 km) 132,918
24 Northline Eliminated in 2015 due to new route system
25 Richmond Greater Eastwood
Eastwood Transit Center		 Westchase
Meadowglen Lane & Hayes Road		 Wheeler Ave, Richmond Ave 17.8 miles (28.6 km) 1,863,966
Juniper Point
Mission Bend Transit Center		 20.9 miles (33.6 km)
26 Long Point/Cavalcade Houston Gardens
Kashmere Transit Center		 Memorial City
Memorial City Way & Barryknoll Lane		 Cavalcade St (East 20th St), Long Point Rd 17.4 miles (28.0 km) 992,040
27 Shepherd Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Acres Homes
North Shepherd Park and Ride		 Greenbriar Dr (SB), Durham Dr (SB), Shepherd Dr 13 miles (21 km) 749,540
28 OST - Wayside South Central Houston
Ben Taub Hospital		 Greater Fifth Ward
5th Ward/Denver Harbor Transit Center		 Old Spanish Trail, Wayside Drive 13.8 miles (22.2 km) 767,706
29 Cullen/Hirsch Houston Gardens
Kashmere Transit Center		 Crestmont Park
MLK Jr. Boulevard & Madden Lane		 Hirsch Rd, York St (NB), Sampson St (SB), Cullen Blvd 17.8 miles (28.6 km) 837,038
30 Clinton/Ella Acres Homes
North Shepherd Park and Ride		 Clinton Park
Mississippi Street & Clinton Drive		 Wheatley St (Ella Blvd), E 11th St, Clinton Dr 20.8 miles (33.5 km) 211,761
31 Memorial Limited
32 Renwick/San Felipe Downtown
Pierce Street & Travis Street		 Meyerland
Caversham Drive & Chimney Rock Road		 W Gray St, San Felipe St, Fountain View Dr (Renwick Dr) 13.2 miles (21.2 km) 503,564
33 Post Oak Replaced by 433 Silver Line and 20 Canal/Memorial in 2020
34 Montrose Eliminated in 2015 due to new route system
35 Fairview Originally 35 Leeland, later 35 Fairview/Leeland; discontinued in 2004
36 Kempwood Houston Gardens
Kashmere Transit Center		 Westbranch
Westway Park Boulevard & Capital Park Drive		 Kempwood Dr (East 34th St), Crosstimbers St 19.3 miles (31.1 km) 876,432
38 Manchester-Lawndale Magnolia Park
Magnolia Park Transit Center		 Harrisburg/Manchester
Manchester Docks		 Lawndale St 6.2 miles (10.0 km) 38,761
39 Katy Freeway Spring Branch Central
Northwest Transit Center		 Memorial City
Britoak Lane & Yorkchester Drive		 Katy Freeway Service Road 10.8 miles (17.4 km) 77,533
40 Telephone/Heights Acres Homes
North Shepherd Park and Ride		 Meadowbrook/Allendale
Monroe Park & Ride		 Yale St, Heights Blvd, Polk St, Telephone Rd 25.9 miles (41.7 km) 1,101,364
41 Kirby/Polk Greater Eastwood
Eastwood Transit Center		 Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Polk St, W Dallas St, Kirby Dr 13 miles (21 km) 349,276
44 Acres Homes Downtown
Gray Street & Austin Street		 Cypress Crossing
Lone Star College-University Park		 N Main St, Montgomery Rd, Tomball Pkwy (SH 249) 23.5 miles (37.8 km) 696,945
45 Tidwell Brookhollow West
West Little York Park and Ride		 East Houston
Mesa Transit Center		 Tidwell Rd 19.1 miles (30.7 km) 1,130,037
46 Gessner Greater Fondren Southwest
Fondren Meadow Drive & Gessner Road		 Gessner Rd 16.3 miles (26.2 km) 2,023,344
47 Hillcroft Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 Westbury
Greencraig Drive & Hillcroft Avenue		 Woodway Dr, Voss Rd (Hillcroft Ave) 12.8 miles (20.6 km) 974,974
48 Market Downtown
Franklin Street & Milam Street		 Pleasantville
Pleasantville Drive & Market Street		 Market St 8.6 miles (13.8 km) 137,547
49 Chimney Rock/S. Post Oak Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 Ridgemont
Court Road & South Post Oak Road		 Chimney Rock Rd, Bering Dr, S Post Oak Rd 17.3 miles (27.8 km) 734,836
50 Broadway Greater Eastwood
Eastwood Transit Center		 Hobby Airport
Hobby Transit Center		 Polk St, Broadway St 9.6 miles (15.4 km) 614,533
51 Hardy/Kelley Downtown
Downtown Transit Center		 Kashmere Gardens
Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital		 Hardy/Elysian Sts, Kelley St 7.8 miles (12.6 km) 206,868
52 Hardy/Ley East Houston
Mesa Transit Center		 Hardy/Elysian Sts, Ley Rd, Mesa Dr 19.3 miles (31.1 km) 619,353
54 Scott Central Southwest
Hiram Clarke Transit Center		 McGowen St, Scott St, Almeda Genoa Rd 14.2 miles (22.9 km) 1,594,105
56 Airline/Montrose Northline
Northline Transit Center		 Greenspoint
Greenspoint Transit Center		 Airline Drive 11.4 miles (18.3 km) 1,625,684
Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Airline Dr, Studewood St (Montrose Bl) 21.6 miles (34.8 km)
58 Hammerly Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 Westbranch
Westway Park Boulevard & Capital Park Drive		 Hammerly Blvd 10.8 miles (17.4 km) 135,260
59 Aldine Mail Acres Homes
North Shepherd Park and Ride		 Eastex
Aldine Mail Route & US Route 59		 Veterans Memorial Dr, Aldine Mail Route 11.7 miles (18.8 km) 123,608
60 Cambridge Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Astrodome Area
El Camino Street & Holly Hall Street		 Cambridge St, Holly Hall St 4.4 miles (7.1 km) 421,490
South Union
Southeast Transit Center		 Cambridge St, Holly Hall St, Tierwester St 6.8 miles (10.9 km)
63 Fondren MidWest
Old Farm Road & Westheimer Road		 Fondren Gardens
Missouri City Park & Ride		 Fondren Rd 9.6 miles (15.4 km) 1,178,347
64 Lincoln City Acres Homes
Acres Homes Transit Center		 Garden City Park
McCrarey Drive & Lonallen Street		 Wheatley St, De Priest St 8.8 miles (14.2 km) 22,704
65 Bissonnet Midtown
Wheeler Transit Center		 Crescent Park Village
Beckford Drive & Newbrook Layover		 Bissonnet St 15.5 miles (24.9 km) 1,542,828
66 Quitman Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 Greater Fifth Ward
5th Ward/Denver Harbor Transit Center		 White Oak Dr (Quitman St) 12.6 miles (20.3 km) 113,049
67 Dairy Ashford Alief
Dairy View Lane & Bissonnet Street		 Memorial City
St Mary's Lane & Dairy Ashford Road		 Dairy Ashford Rd 7.8 miles (12.6 km) 131,318
68 Braeswood Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 Alief
Elmsworth Drive & South Course Drive (other times)		 Braeswood Blvd 11.8 miles (19.0 km) 541,466
Alief
El Franco Lee Clinic (weekday daytime)		 13.8 miles (22.2 km)
70 Memorial Spring Branch Central
Northwest Transit Center		 Spring Branch West
Business Center Drive & Westview Circle Drive		 Memorial Dr (Central), Westview Dr 11.7 miles (18.8 km) 69,539
71 Cottage Grove Spring Branch Central
Hempstead Transit Center		 Memorial Park
Koehler Street & Bass Street		 Hempstead Rd 5.9 miles (9.5 km) 2,597
72 Westview Spring Branch Central
Northwest Transit Center		 Spring Branch West
Business Center Drive & Westview Circle Drive		 Westview Dr 10.1 miles (16.3 km) 98,144
73 Bellfort South Main
Fannin South Transit Center		 Hobby Airport
Hobby Transit Center		 Bellfort St (East) 9.4 miles (15.1 km) 1,342,006
75 Eldridge Addicks Park Ten
Addicks Park & Ride		 Eldridge/West Oaks
West Oaks Mall		 Eldridge Pkwy, Bellaire Bl 13.9 miles (22.4 km) 167,350
76 Evergreen Magnolia Park
Magnolia Park Transit Center		 Allendale
Howard Drive & Sweetbriar Street		 Evergreen Dr, Winkler Dr 10.7 miles (17.2 km) 297,645
77 Homestead Greater Fifth Ward
5th Ward/Denver Harbor Transit Center		 Homestead
Hartwick Road & Homestead Road		 Homestead Rd 10.9 miles (17.5 km) 129,882
78 Wayside East Houston
Brock Park Drive & Tidwell Road		 Tidwell Rd, Wayside Dr 9.7 miles (15.6 km) 127,124
79 Irvington Northside Village
Burnett Transit Center		 Eastex-Jensen
Aldine Westfield Road & Pine Tree Drive		 Irvington Blvd 10.7 miles (17.2 km) 118,108
80 MLK/Lockwood Houston Gardens
Kashmere Transit Center		 Crestmont Park
MLK Jr. Boulevard & Park Village Drive		 Lockwood Dr, MLK Jr. Blvd 16.2 miles (26.1 km) 1,103,832
Eastex-Jensen
Tidwell Transit Center		 21.2 miles (34.1 km)
82 Westheimer Downtown
Congress Street & Smith Street		 Eldridge/West Oaks
West Oaks Mall		 Westheimer Rd 18.2 miles (29.3 km) 3,540,453
83 Lee Road-JFK Eastex-Jensen
Tidwell Transit Center		 IAH/Airport Area
World Houston Parkway & International Plaza		 US 59 Service Rd, Lee Rd (SB) 12.4 miles (20.0 km) 89,787
84 Buffalo Speedway Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 South Main
Lakes at 610 Drive & West Bellfort Street		 I-610 Service Rd, Buffalo Spdwy, University Blvd 12.9 miles (20.8 km) 386,427
85 Antoine/Washington Downtown
Gray Street & Austin Street		 Antoine West
West Road & Antoine Drive		 Washington Ave, Antoine Dr 17.5 miles (28.2 km) 1,628,555
Greenspoint
Greenspoint Transit Center		 Washington Ave, Antoine Dr, Gears Rd 25.5 miles (41.0 km)
86 FM 1960/Imperial Valley Greenspoint
Greenspoint Transit Center		 Willowbrook
Tomball Parkway & Willow Chase Boulevard		 Imperial Valley Dr, FM 1960 (West) 16.5 miles (26.6 km) 762,678
87 Sunnyside Old Braeswood
Texas Medical Center Transit Center		 South Main
Fannin South Transit Center		 Holcombe Bl, Yellowstone Bl, Crestmont St, Reed Rd 14.7 miles (23.7 km) 260,155
88 Sagemont Greater Hobby Area
Neuhaus St & Telephone Rd		 Southbelt/Ellington
San Jacinto College South		 Airport Blvd, Almeda Genoa Rd, Beamer Rd 14.5 miles (23.3 km) 328,213
89 Dacoma Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 Lazy Brook
Sherwood Lane & North Becca Lane		 Dacoma Rd, Magnum Rd 3.5 miles (5.6 km) 48,152
93 Greens Road Renumbered to 102 in the 1990s due to shuttle expansions
93 Northwest/Greenway Plaza Shuttle Discontinued in 2004
96 Veterans Memorial Northline
Northline Transit Center		 Steubner Forest
Veterans Memorial Drive & Farm To Market Road 1960		 Nordling Rd, Veterans Memorial Dr 15.5 miles (24.9 km) 367,340
97 Settegast Houston Gardens
Kashmere Transit Center		 East Houston
Mesa Transit Center		 I-610 Service Rd, Wallisville Rd, Oates Rd, E Houston Rd 14.9 miles (24.0 km) 140,712
98 Briargate Central Southwest
Hiram Clarke Transit Center		 Fondren Gardens
Missouri City Park & Ride		 Fuqua St, Fondren Rd 7.4 miles (11.9 km) 80,882
99 Ella - FM 1960 Acres Homes
North Shepherd Park & Ride		 Woodcreek
Lone Star College-North Harris		 Ella Blvd, FM 1960 (East) 21.1 miles (34.0 km) 645,686
102 Bush IAH Express Downtown
La Branch Street & Gray Street		 Bush IAH Airport
Bush IAH Airport Terminal C		 North Fwy, Beltway 8, JFK Blvd 26.5 miles (42.6 km) 952,372
108 Veterans Memorial Express Acres Homes
North Shepherd Park and Ride		 North Fwy 10.6 miles (17.1 km) 103,000
Steubner Forest
Veterans Memorial Drive & Farm To Market Road 1960 (temporarily suspended)		 North Fwy, Veterans Memorial Dr 19.6 miles (31.5 km)
137 Northshore Express Downtown
Gray Street & Brazos Street		 Greater Fifth Ward
5th Ward/Denver Harbor TC		 East Fwy 4.9 miles (7.9 km) 753,213
Northshore
Maxey Road Park & Ride		 East Fwy, Uvalde Rd, Woodforest Bl 17.1 miles (27.5 km)
151 Westpark Express Downtown
Smith Street & Preston Street		 Juniper Point
Mission Bend Transit Center		 US 59, Westpark Dr, Harwin Dr 18.5 miles (29.8 km) 109,914
152 Harwin South Express Midtown
Wheeler Transit Center		 Westwood
Westwood Park & Ride		 US 59, Harwin Dr, Corporate Dr 15 miles (24 km) 494,040
153 Harwin North Express Eldridge/West Oaks
Valedictorian Drive & Briar Forest Drive		 US 59, Harwin Dr, Briar Forest Dr 20.7 miles (33.3 km) 710,901
160 Memorial City Express Downtown
Downtown Transit Center		 Memorial City
Memorial City Way & Barryknoll Lane		 Katy Fwy 13.9 miles (22.4 km) 92,163
161 Wilcrest Express Greater Fondren Southwest
West Bellfort Park & Ride		 Katy Fwy, Memorial Dr, Wilcrest Dr 26.1 miles (42.0 km) 845,406
162 Memorial Express Addicks Park Ten
Addicks Park & Ride		 Katy Fwy, Memorial Dr (West) 22.5 miles (36.2 km) 204,508
201 North Shepherd
202 Kuykendahl P&R Greenspoint
Kuykendahl Park and Ride		 Downtown
Stops along Milam, Travis, St. Joseph and Jefferson		 North Freeway HOV 189,367 [14]
204 Spring P&R Spring
Spring Park and Ride		 173,301 [15]
209 Kuykendahl/Spring P&R Spring
Spring Park and Ride
Greenspoint
Kuykendahl Park and Ride		 2,041 [16]
Midday service for 202 and 204
210 West Belt Discontinued in 2004
212 Seton Lake P&R Seton Lake Park and Ride Downtown
Stops along Milam, Travis, St. Joseph and Jefferson		 North Freeway HOV 6,171 [17]
Formerly 203?
216 W L York / Northwest Station P&R Jersey Village
Northwest Station
Brookhollow West
West Little York Park and Ride		 Downtown
Stops along Smith and Louisiana Streets		 Northwest Freeway HOV, Katy Freeway 204,600 [18]
217 Cypress P&R Cypress
Cypress Park and Ride		 300,401 [19]
219 W.L York/NW Station/Cypress Cypress
Cypress Park and Ride
Jersey Village
Northwest Station
Brookhollow West
West Little York Park and Ride		 2,926 [20]
Midday service for 216 and 217
221 Kingsland P&R Kingsland Park and Ride Downtown
Stops along Smith and Louisiana		 Katy Freeway HOV 52,941
222 Grand Parkway P&R Grand Parkway Park and Ride 474,412
228 Addicks P&R Addicks
Addicks Park and Ride		 262,132
229 Addicks/Kingsland/Grand Parkway P&R Grand Parkway Park and Ride
Kingsland Park and Ride
Addicks
Addicks Park and Ride		 2,985 Midday service for 221, 222 and 228
236 Maxey P&R Baytown
Baytown Park and Ride		 Downtown
Stops along Congress, Franklin, Milam, Travis, St. Joseph and Pierce		 East Freeway 52,819
237 Baytown P&R 3,258
244 Monroe / El Dorado P&R El Dorado Park and Ride Downtown
Stops along St. Joseph, Pierce, Travis, Milam, Franklin and Congress		 Gulf Freeway HOV 112,057
247 Fuqua / Bay Area P&R Bay Area Park and Ride Bay Area Boulevard, Gulf Freeway HOV 161,459
249 Bay Area / El Dorado / Fuqua / Monroe P&R Bay Area Park and Ride Bay Area Boulevard, Gulf Freeway HOV 2,696 Midday service for 244 and 247
256 Eastex / Kingwood P&R Kingwood Park and Ride Downtown
Stops along Congress, Franklin, Milam, Travis, St. Joseph and Jefferson		 Eastex Freeway HOV 131,192
257 Townsen P&R Townsen Park and Ride 91,742
259 Eastex/Townsen/Kingwood P&R Kingwood Park and Ride 81,574 Midway service for 256 and 257
269 West Bellfort / Westwood P&R West Bellfort Park and Ride Downtown
Stops along Louisiana, Smith, Franklin and Congress		 Southwest Freeway HOV 269,316
270 Missouri City - Fondren P&R Missouri City
Missouri City/SH 6 Park and Ride		 Old Braeswood
TMC Transit Center		 Fort Bend Tollway Frontage Road, Fondren, S. Main, Pressler 96,912
271 Missouri City - SH6 P&R 47,023
284 Kingwood/Townsen-Greenway Plaza/Uptown Discontinued in 2004
285 Kingsland/Addicks-Uptown/Greenway Plaza Discontinued in 2004, replaced by 298
291 Conroe P&R Conroe
Conroe Park and Ride		 VA Hospital North Freeway HOV, Downtown, Main Street, Pressler, Bertner, OST 19,367
292 Southwest Freeway / TMC P&R West Bellfort Park and Ride Old Braeswood
TMC Transit Center		 Southwest Freeway HOV, Main Street 76,201
297 Gulf Freeway / TMC P&R South Point Park and Ride East @ Cambridge Gulf Freeway HOV, South Freeway, OST 163,845
298 Katy Freeway / TMC P&R Kingsland Park and Ride Old Braeswood
TMC Transit Center		 Katy Freeway HOV, Studemont 283,348
309 Gulfton Circulator Westpark/Lower Uptown Transit Center Westpark/Lower Uptown Transit Center Westpark, Hillcroft, Bellaire, S. Rice 8.8 miles (14.2 km) 109,299 Runs in a loop
310 116,843 Runs in a loop
311 Bayou Event Shuttle Discontinued due to low ridership
312 Grocers Shuttle Absorbed into 5 Southmore in 2020
313 Allen Parkway Special
314 Hiram Clarke curb2curb 42,866 [21]
320 TMC Red Shuttle No longer operated by METRO
321 TMC White Shuttle No longer operated by METRO
322 TMC Blue Shuttle No longer operated by METRO
323 TMC North Circulator Merged with 325 to form the 326 in 2004
324 TMC South Circulator Merged with 324 to form the 326 in 2004
325 Smith Lands Circulator
326 TMC Campus Trolley Replaced 323 and 324
344 Acres Homes curb2curb 86,132 [22]
352 Swingle Shuttle
360 Peerless Shuttle South Union
Southeast Transit Center		 South Park
Jutland Road & Bellfort Street		 6 miles (9.7 km) 95,166
363 Missouri City curb2curb 105,654 [23]
364 MCTX Flex Route
377 Kashmere Late Night curb2curb 3,355 [24]
399 Kuykendahl Shuttle Greenspoint
Greenspoint Transit Center		 Greenspoint
Kuykendahl Park & Ride		 Ella Blvd, Kuykendahl Rd 4.7 miles (7.6 km) 45,903
402 Quickline Bellaire BRT Old Braeswood
TMC Transit Center		 Sharpstown
Clarewood Drive & Ranchester Drive		 Bellaire Blvd 9 miles (14 km) 118,281
402 P & HC Shuttle
403 S & K Shuttle
404 Northwest Shuttle
404 Beechnut Flyer Eliminated in 2001 due to low ridership
412 Greenlink Circulator Green Route Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
413 Greenlink Circulator Orange Route Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
418 Harris County Jury Shuttle Discontinued in 2023 due to low ridership
420 Post Oak Special Gold
421 Post Oak Special Green
426/427 TWC Swiftline
433 Silver Line Post Oak BRT Spring Branch East
Northwest Transit Center		 Gulfton
Westpark/Lower Uptown Transit Center		 Post Oak Blvd 4.7 miles (7.6 km) 298,759 Originally 33 Post Oak
464 Bell Station Trolley Discontinued in 2004
465 Main Street Square Trolley
466 St. Joseph/Preston Trolley
500 Airport Direct Cancelled in 2011 due to low ridership

Transit centers
  • Acres Home
  • Bellaire
  • Burnett
  • Downtown
  • Eastwood
  • Fannin South
  • Fifth Ward/Denver Harbor
  • Greenspoint
  • Hiram Clarke
  • Hobby
  • Kashmere
  • Magnolia Park
  • Mesa
  • Mission Bend
  • Northline
  • Northwest
  • Palm Center
  • Southeast
  • Tidwell
  • Texas Medical Center
  • West Loop
  • Westpark/Lower Uptown
  • Wheeler Station

Park and Ride lots

Metro operates 28 different park and ride locations.[25]

Advertising policy

Metro has had a policy since its founding in which it refuses to place advertisements on buses, claiming that such a move would create an unsightly appearance on the buses. Metro had originally attempted to generate extra revenue by only advertising in its bus shelters, but a city ordinance blocked the decision. After a failed attempt to get permission to partially use advertisements on buses, Metro has since decided to continue enforcing its policy.[26]

Due to the lack of funding for METRORail expansion, the policy has been proposed to be expanded to light rail vehicles in order to generate additional revenue.[27] Metro began advertising the Houston Zoo on the side of three light rail vehicles in 2010.[28] In late September 2010, due to the decreased budget, Metro began to seriously consider advertising on their buses.

Rates

In the fall of 2006, Metro revealed plans to rework its fare system. The new system involves pre-paid fare cards (contactless smart cards), called Q Cards, that can be recharged on local buses and Metro TVMs. 3-hour passes are electronically added to the card each time it is used. Frequent users get "Rider Rewards" that offer five free rides for every 50 paid trips.

Senior citizens 65–69 will continue to receive a discounted rate as will disabled patrons. Senior citizens over 70 may ride for free. Children under 5 also ride for free when accompanied by an adult (limit 3). This was intended to keep the base fare low and phase out the previous fare system consisting of transfers (was reinstated from July 2015 to March 2016), as well as day (reinstated on October 7, 2013), weekly, monthly and annual passes, which occurred in early 2008. On November 2, 2008, local fares increased to $1.25 from $1. Currently another fare increase is being mulled as a means to pay for constructing the expansion of the light rail.[27]

Service TypeRegularDiscounted
Local$1.25$0.60
Zone 1$2$1
Zone 2$3.25$1.60
Zone 3$3.75$1.85
Zone 4$4.50$2.25
Zone 5$8$4
24-Hour Pass (began October 7, 2013)[29]$3$1.50

HOV system

Metro has been known for pioneering the use of express buses in HOV lanes. This was part of the reversible HOV lane concept that began in 1979 with the completion of the North Freeway (I-45) Contraflow Lane. This concept used the inside freeway lane of the "opposite" direction separated by traffic pylons and is closed to all vehicles except buses and vanpools. Although a head-on collision involving a car and a bus occurred in 1980, the concept became permanent, but with the HOV lanes separated from the rest of traffic with Jersey barriers.

The HOV lanes run between Downtown Houston (inbound A.M. and outbound P.M.) and the suburbs and are found on portions of the Katy Freeway, Gulf Freeway, North Freeway, Southwest Freeway, Eastex Freeway and Northwest Freeway.

Since Metro Express buses use them during rush hour, most routes lead to the Park and Ride lots and use "secret" HOV lane exits (often elevated T-intersections) that lead to the lots (also used by vehicles) without having to exit the freeway to street intersections. The HOV system will soon get an overhaul in the event of major freeway construction to take place in Houston and may have HOV lanes in both directions with the concept of HOT (Toll) lanes introduced.

In 2011, Metro began conversion of the HOV lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Commuters with only one person in a vehicle will be able to pay a toll to use the lanes when the conversion is complete.

METROLift
A typical Metro Lift vehicle

Metro Lift provides transportation needs for people with a disability, who cannot board, or ride from a regular Metro bus. The Metro Lift vehicles are shared-ride, meaning that they take multiple customers and groups. Metro tells its customers to use standard Metro bus services whenever possible. Metro Lift uses special vehicles that are distinct from fixed-route Metro buses.[30] The Authority's METROLift paratransit service will have provided 1.9 million trips to 16,178 eligible riders in FY2017, using both METRO-owned lift-equipped vans and contractor-owned and operated accessible minivans.[31]

METRORail
Main article: METRORail

Metro's light rail service is known as METRORail.

Metro offers a trip planner on its web site that provides information for public transit in the region it serves. It is multi-modal, combining schedule information for buses and rail. Riders enter their intended origin and destination, along with optional time, date, the trip planner displays, itineraries showing the stops, departure and arrival times, times to get from the origin to the destination and other information.

Today, the average daily weekday ridership is 59,753 and 18.3 million annually. On November 9, 2007, Metro surpassed its 40 million boardings mark, something it did not expect to happen until 2020. Notable records in ridership have occurred on the following dates:[32]

  • February 1, 2004: 64,005 passengers rode Metro during Super Bowl XXXVIII
  • February 23, 2004: 54,193 passenger boardings were recorded, the highest weekday at the time
  • February 27, 2007: 56,388 passengers were recorded the day of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
  • February 4, 2017: 109,417 passengers were recorded during pre-Super Bowl festivities.[33]
  • November 3, 2017: 125,000 passengers were recorded the day of the Houston Astros World Series Championship Parade[33]

METRORail lines
The Red Line along Main Street

Metro currently operates three light rail lines: the Red Line, Purple Line and Green Line. The Red Line, the Authority's first light rail line, began operation on January 1, 2004. Now extended to 12.8 miles, the line begins at the Northline Transit Center, serving HCC Northeast and Northline Commons mall, and then continues south through Houston's Central Business District, Midtown, the Museum District, Rice University, the Texas Medical Center and the NRG Park Complex to the Fannin South Transit Center [31] It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the DART system. The arrival of Metro light rail comes approximately sixty years after the previous streetcar system was shut down, which left Houston as the largest city in the United States without a rail system since 1990, when Los Angeles' Blue Line opened.

Metro opened two additional light rail lines in 2015, the Purple (Southeast) and Green (East End) Lines. Destinations served by these new lines include Texas Southern University, the University of Houston, PNC Stadium, and the Theater District. These new lines added another 9.9 miles of light rail. In total, Metro operates 22.7 miles of light rail service. Metro will reach approximately 18.6 million light rail boardings in FY17.[31]

Two other lines were to be completed by 2012, but funding issues dropped the number to the northern extension of the Red Line and two of the original four new lines.[34][35] The extension of the Red Line was opened on December 21, 2013[36] and the East End/Green Line opened on May 23, 2015.[37] Due to federal investigations and the lack of funds, the plans may degenerate further.[38] Three of the five lines were previously going to be bus-rapid transit, but due to high ridership possibilities, the decision was made to make them all light rail.

Expansion
Further information: METRORail

METRO Solutions

METRO Solutions was a regional transit plan approved by voters in November 2003 by a 52-48 vote.[39][40] The plan proposed:

  • 64.8 miles (104 km) of Light Rail Transit
  • 8 miles (13 km) of Commuter Rail Transit (CRT)
  • 9 New Transit Centers
  • 9 New Park & Rides Lots
  • 250 miles of two-way HOV lanes

In June 2005, METRO announced a revised plan for expansion of the METRORail system. The plan included one new light rail corridor and three bus rapid transit corridors. The bus rapid transit lines would have later been converted into light rail when ridership warranted the conversion.

On October 18, 2007, the plan was revised to allow for the possibility of more federal funding. METRO decided to have all the lines consist of light rail from the start after some public backlash to the agency turning back from its original plans of light rail corridors.[41]

By 2017, only 15 miles of light rail were completed with no commuter rail lines established.[40] 8 new transit centers, 7 new park & ride lots, and only one new two-way HOV corridor were completed as well.

METRONext

The public with a 68% vote approved the METRONext plan on November 2019.[42] The plan calls for:[43][44]

  • 110 miles of Regional Express Network, including two-way HOV lanes
  • 21 new or improved Park & Ride lots and Transit Centers
  • 16 miles of light rail expansion
  • 75 miles of a bus rapid transit network METRORapid
  • 290 miles of BOOST and Signature bus service

The referendum authorized the agency to issue up to $3.5 billion in bonds to pay for the projects while the remaining $4 billion will come from federal grants and local funds.[43]

Metro Police
Metro Police automobile

Metro operates its own police department. With over 185 Texas peace officers and 88 non-sworn, civilian employees, the department's main goal is to ensure safety and security on the transit system. The department was established in 1982 and is accredited with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), one of only five public transit police departments in North America to be so.[45]

State law grants Metro Police jurisdiction in the counties in which Metro is located, provides services, or is supported by a general sales and use tax.[46] As peace officers, state law also grants Metro Police the power to arrest without warrant for any felony, breach of the peace, disorderly conduct or intoxication offense that is committed in their presence or view while in Texas.[47] They may also make an arrest pursuant to a warrant anywhere in Texas.[48]

Headquarters
See also: Total Plaza
Lee P. Brown Administration Building, the headquarters, in Downtown Houston

The Metro headquarters are in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston.[49] The $41 million 14 story glass and steel building has over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2) of space. The facility includes the Downtown Transit Center, a Metro Ride store, a Houston Police Department storefront and toilets for transiting passengers.[50] The building was designed by Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville.[51] As of August 2010, two floors of the building are not occupied and are not used in any way.[52]

The building was scheduled to open in early 2004, coinciding with the beginning of the METRORail. The groundbreaking was held in 2002. Patti Muck, a spokesperson for METRO, said that the agency would save $273 million, assuming that the agency occupied the building for a 30-year span instead of renting for the same length of time.[50] The Federal Transit Administration,[51] a part of the federal government of the United States, paid 80% of the construction costs,[50] while Metro paid the other 20%.[51]

The “Houston in Harmony” mural[53] l in honor of Mayor Lee P Brown was commissioned by the Honey Brown Hope Foundation and its founder, Tammie Lang Campbell, in 1999. It was moved March 23, 2005, to the Lee P. Brown Metropolitan Transit Authority Administration Building, where it is on permanent display.

Previously the Metro headquarters were in the Louisiana Place (now the Total Plaza[54]), also in Downtown Houston.[55][56] The agency occupied 10 floors in the building and did not receive any federal funds to cover the $3.8 million annual rent.[50] The Metro Board Room was located on the 16th floor.[57] Total Petrochemicals USA, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, moved into the space that was previously occupied by METRO; the agency scheduled its move into the Brown building to occur in January 2005.[58] Metro's lease of 193,000 square feet (17,900 m2) of space expired in April 2005.[51]

Ridership and demographics

A Regional Fixed Route Transit Rider survey sponsored by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), in partnership with METRO, was completed in 2017. Over 22,000 riders were surveyed—the most expansive ever conducted on a regional basis—and included eight regional fixed-route transit agencies which operate in H-GAC's eight-county region.[59] The survey found that 58 percent of riders use transit to get to work, 20 percent use it for shopping or personal business, and about 10 percent of riders use a bus or train to get to school. 88 percent of riders reported that they rode transit at least three days per week with almost 50 percent of riders riding at least five days per week. The survey's findings concluded that 88 percent of all the trips were directly contributing to the region's economy.[60]

Member cities

The Metro member cities include:[49]
Core city

Other cities

In addition the agency serves many unincorporated areas.[49]

See also

References
  1. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. "About METRO". METRO. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  4. Chronology of Metro's attempts to develop a rail system Archived October 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine FRI March 29, 1991 Houston Chronicle, Section A, Page 24, 2 STAR Edition
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Ryan, Molly (February 24, 2014). "Houston Metro officially names new CEO". Houston Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  7. Turner, Allan (February 1, 2014). "Metro CEO lauded for low-key management style". Houston Chronicle. Hearst. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  8. Engel, Currie (July 23, 2020). "On the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Houston looks forward". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 31, 2020. [...]1978[...]It took Houston another 13 years to get accessible buses,[...]
  9. Yglesias, Matthew (February 18, 2015). "Houston just dramatically improved its mass transit system without spending a dime". Vox. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  10. "NewBusNetwork". www.ridemetro.org. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  11. Begley, Dug (April 6, 2020). "Pandemic forces shutdown of downtown shuttle, maybe for good". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  12. "Executive Summary - September 2023". Houston METRO. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  13. "2 Bellaire". METRO.
  14. "202 Kuykendahl". METRO.
  15. "204 Spring". METRO.
  16. "209 Spring / Kuykendahl". METRO.
  17. "212 Seton Lake". METRO.
  18. "216 West Little York / Northwest Station". METRO.
  19. "217 Cypress". METRO.
  20. "219 Cypress / Northwest Station / West Little York". METRO.
  21. "314 Hiram Clarke". METRO.
  22. "344 Acres Homes". METRO.
  23. "363 Missouri City". METRO.
  24. "377 Kashmere Late Night". METRO.
  25. "Accessing METRO by Car". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
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  27. Fare increases an option as Metro looks at rail funding – Houston Chronicle. Chron.com (July 21, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
  28. Metro breaks tradition with Zoo ads featured on trains | khou.com Houston Archived October 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Khou.com (August 6, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
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  31. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 7, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. "METRORail riding sets record – Houston Business Journal". Archived from the original on June 14, 2008.
  33. "MetroRail notches record number of riders for Astros' victory parade, celebration". November 6, 2017.
  34. Houston Mayor Annise Parker wants to put brakes on University and Uptown rail lines | abc13.com Archived January 8, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Abclocal.go.com (March 11, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
  35. Rick Casey: Metro can't let rail jeopardize its buses – Houston Chronicle. Chron.com (March 11, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
  36. Rail puts Fulton Corridor on the verge of a boom – Houston Chronicle. Chron.com (May 31, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
  37. Metro's East End Light Rail Corridor construction project reaches major milestone | abc13.com Archived October 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Abclocal.go.com (April 16, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
  38. Metro cancels real estate contract, then rehires firm – Houston Chronicle. Chron.com (July 23, 2010). Retrieved on 2013-08-15.
  39. BABINECK, MARK (November 5, 2003). "Houston presses ahead with rail plan". Chron. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  40. "METRONext: About METRONext". naboo.langranddev.com. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  41. Sallee, Rad. "Metro Will Use Light Rail for 5 Future Lines / Board nixes less popular bus rapid transit and picks route on Richmond Archived 2012-10-22 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Chronicle. Friday October 19, 2007. A1. Retrieved on May 24, 2009.
  42. Begley, Dug (November 7, 2019). "Houston transit officials savor win, start work on $3.5B plan for buses and trains". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  43. "METRONext Moving Forward Plan | ADA Accessible Public Transit | Houston, Texas". Ride Metro. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  44. "Resolution No. 2019-71 Calling a Special Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019". Houston METRO. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  45. "METRO Police".
  46. "Transportation Code Chapter 451. Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authorities". state.tx.us.
  47. "Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 14. Arrest Without Warrant". state.tx.us.
  48. "Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 15. Arrest Under Warrant". state.tx.us.
  49. "A Comprehensive Look at the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas Archived May 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on April 5, 2010. "Headquarters Lee P. Brown Metro Administration Building 1900 Main St. Houston, Texas 77002"
  50. Sallee, Rad. "Metro touting future savings from building Archived 2012-10-18 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday August 21, 2002. A25. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
  51. Sarnoff, Nancy. "Metro gets rolling on downtown transit center." Houston Business Journal. Friday January 4, 2002. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
  52. Knight, Paul. "George Greanias Lays The Groundwork For Metro's Tough Upcoming Budget Decisions Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Press. Tuesday August 31, 2010. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.
  53. "Fort Bend group lauds former Houston mayor for public service". Houston Chronicle. March 31, 2005.
  54. "Total Plaza Archived 2009-04-24 at the Wayback Machine." Brookfield Properties. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
  55. "Contacting METRO." Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas. March 4, 2001. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
  56. Dawson, Jennifer. "Hilcorp increases downtown presence." Houston Business Journal. Thursday June 22, 2006. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
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  58. Dawson, Jennifer. "ATOFINA to move from Greenspoint to downtown." Houston Business Journal. Monday July 19, 2004. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.
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