Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
Encyclopedia
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (often referred to as METRO, or MTA) is a major public transportation agency based in Houston (Texas
, USA
). It operates bus
, light rail
, future commuter rail, and paratransit
service (under the name METROLift) in the city as well as most of Harris County
. METRO also operates bus service to two cities in Fort Bend County
. The METRO headquarters are in the in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston
.
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. In 25 years, the Authority has transformed a broken bus fleet into a regional multimodal transportation system.
The agency began operation in 1979, taking over the bus service run by the City of Houston known as HouTran. METRO's service area encompasses 1285 square mile and also serves portions of an eight-county region with its vanpool service; the agency employs about 3,800 people.
. Her tenure was marked by the introduction of the METRORail
light rail transit system and for passing the 2003 light rail expansion plan referendum.
DeLibero retired in the spring of 2004 and was replaced by Frank Wilson, a 30-year transit executive who had been president of AECOM Enterprises, a Los Angeles-based engineering consulting firm; Wilson had also previously been general manager of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District
(BART) in Northern California and was the Commissioner of Transportation for the State of New Jersey. Wilson arrived as the mayoral administration of Bill White replaced that of the term-limited Brown. In May 2010, Wilson signed a deal to terminate his employment as METRO president and chief executive officer.
George Greanias, a former city councilman and city controller, was named chief executive by the majority of the METRO board appointed by Mayor Annise Parker
, even though he had no transit experience. Parker made the need for new leadership at METRO a key platform of her campaign, saying the leadership had damaged the agency's relationship with the community.
. 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 concrete 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 as well) 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.
METRO has a very expansive, and heavily used bus system. Local bus service usually runs on city streets, stopping at every other corner along its entire route. METRO's bus service is the most used bus system in Texas
and the Southwest. METRO's bus service also includes the HOV/Park and Ride System. Park and Ride stations are placed alongside the freeways and used heavily during peak times.
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.
Due to the lack of funding for METRO Rail expansion, the policy was mulled over to be extended to light rail vehicles in order to generate additional revenue. METRO began advertising the Houston Zoo
on the side of three light rail vehicles in 2010. In late September 2010, due to the decreased budget, METRO began to seriously consider advertising on their buses.
s), called Q Cards, that can be recharged on local buses and Metro TVMs. Transfers will be 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. (Similar smart cards are being used on transit systems nationwide, including those in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.)
Senior citizens 65-69 will continue to receive a discounted rate as will disabled patrons. Senior citizens over 70 may ride for free. This was intended to keep the base fare low and phase out the previous fare system consisting of transfers, as well as day, 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.
METRO also provides shuttle service to areas including the Texas Medical Center
and Downtown Houston
.
METRO's express and commuter buses which consists of 45 feet (13.7 m) MCI and New Flyer "Viking" buses have reclining seats, small individual lights, as well as small air conditioning vents for each seat.
Note: The Express and Park and Ride were once under the Commuter Routes umbrella until they gained their own distinctive non-stop service designations in 2004. As of 2010, aside from routes #170, 212, and 261, the routes are organized in corridors, but are now all listed as Park & Ride (Commuter) Service.
buses and are very comfortable for the rider. The Park and Ride locations are:
West locations
Southwest locations
Northwest locations
Northeast locations
North locations
South locations
Southeast locations
East locations
Park and Ride Expansion
There are plans for future park and ride stations throughout the Houston Metropolitan Area. These locations are said to be:
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.
was formerly president before resigning in May 2010, in large part due to criminal allegations of shredding public documents. Longtime local politician George Greanias was appointed interim president, as appointed by Mayor Annise Parker
.
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, and other information, and the trip planner displays itineraries showing the stops, departure and arrival times, and times to get from the origin to the destination.
Today, the average daily weekday ridership is 34,600. Notable records in ridership have occurred on the following dates:
On November 9, 2007, METRO surpassed its 40 million boardings mark, something it did not expect to happen until 2020.
. Five other lines were to be completed by the 2012, but current funding issues have dropped the number to an extended Red Line and two of the original four. The extension of the Red Line is now scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013 and the East End/Green Line in 2014. Due to federal investigations and the lack of funds, the plans may degenerate further. 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.
-built Avanto
light-rail vehicles. Each 96 feet (29.3 m) long, double articulated vehicle has 4 low platform doors per side and has a capacity of 72 seated and 148 standing passengers. Two vehicles are coupled together to handle rush-hour loads; longer assemblies are not feasible with existing platform lengths.
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As part of a deal with the Utah Transit Authority
, METRO is purchasing an additional 19 Avanto S70 rail cars to compliment the current rolling stock. These are expected to be in service in 2012 and will help with ridership demand.
. Critics have alleged the existence of a conflict of interest
in the planned expansion. Major contractors including Siemens AG
, which constructs the train vehicles, contributed substantial amounts of money to the Political Action Committee
promoting the expansion referendum
. Supporters of an expanded rail system in Houston have leveled similar charges against opponents of the referendum, noting that suburban development interests largely bankrolled the PAC opposing the referendum.
In June 2005, METRO announced a revised plan for expansion of the METRORail system. The plan included four new corridors, consisting of both light rail
and bus rapid transit
. 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 go ahead and have all the lines consist of light rail from the start.
The planned expansions are within the city of Houston and will eventually reach the two major Houston airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport
and William P. Hobby Airport
. METRO is planning service to suburbs in Houston
, as well as other parts of Houston. Alternatives Analysis and Draft Environmental Impact Analysis studies are currently underway on four extensions.
METRO is also planning a commuter rail
system in conjunction with the light rail system, pending feasibility of the plan. In addition, METRO wants to link up with a planned Commuter Rail line traveling from Fort Bend County
to just south of Reliant Stadium, which would use an existing Union Pacific railroad, as well as an additional line branching out along the U.S. Highway 290 corridor to Hempstead, TX, and possibly further. A recent entrance by the Gulf Coast Freight Rail District may make the 290 corridor and the Galveston corridor possible by 2012, again pending feasibility. While heavy rail would not be a possibility to serve Fort Bend County, recent approval has been given to study an extension of the Red Line to Fort Bend from the Fannin South Station. Furthermore, Representative Gene Greene has issued a statement regarding a preliminary acquisition of funds for Houston projects, amongst them one million dollars to move forward and extend the Red Line south to Missouri City.
The passed voter referendum included:
The following lines and services were planned to be up and running by 2012, but various circumstances have changed the overall timing. According a statement by Annise Parker
, Houston's mayor, both the University Line
and the Uptown Line
would be delayed until a future date when funding could be secured. According to construction details from the GO METRORail website, construction was moving slowly. Further delays to the construction were also a possibility pending the FTA investigation METRO (which began in April 2010) for possible "Buy America" violations by building new prototype cars in Spain. Another obstacle surfaced in August 2010 when METRO officially announced that it had fallen short $49 million on its budget, but insisted that the current dates for completion (Red Line Extension by 2013 and East End/Green Line by 2014) would not be affected. However, such was not the case, after the decision handed down by the FTA on September 8, 2010, that stated that METRO was in violation of "Buy America" rules - after talking with the board, on September 9, 2010, all progress for the three light rail lines under construction was to be slowed and a new (generic) date of 2014 was set.
The current plans to date are as follows:
Countering the bad news regarding METRO's light rail expansion, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed bills allotting $150 million to the Red Line Extension and Southeast/Green Line light rail projects for fiscal year 2011. Added to the previous $150 million allotted fiscal year 2010, the total amount given to these projects is $300 million. However, according to the FTA, this will not be available to METRO unless they rebid the contract to build the new light rail cars. In light of this, METRO decided to build light rail only according to the funds they have while waiting to see if they will receive federal funds. Thus in late September 2010 METRO only came up with a figure of $143 million in funds available for construction.
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 worldwide to be so.
The METRO headquarters are in the in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston
. The $41 million 14 story glass and steel building has over 400000 square foot of space. The facility includes the Downtown Transit Center, a METRO Ride store, a Houston Police Department
storefront, and toilets for transiting passengers. The building was designed by Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville. As of August 2010, two floors of the building are not occupied and are not used in any way.
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. The Federal Transit Administration
, a part of the federal government of the United States
, paid 80% of the construction costs, while METRO paid the other 20%.
Previously the METRO headquarters were in the Louisiana Place (now the Total Plaza
), also in Downtown Houston. The agency occupied 10 floors in the building and did not receive any federal funds to cover the $3.8 million annual rent. The METRO Board Room was located on the 16th floor. Total Petrochemicals USA
, a subsidiary of Total S.A.
, moved into the space that was previously occupied by METRO; the agency scheduled its move into the Brown building to occur in January 2005. METRO's lease of 193000 square foot of space expired in April 2005.
Core city
Other cities
In addition the agency serves many unincorporated area
s.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). It operates bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
, light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
, future commuter rail, and paratransit
Paratransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
service (under the name METROLift) in the city as well as most of Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
. METRO also operates bus service to two cities in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County, Texas
Fort Bend County is a county located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. In 2000 its population was 354,452, while the 2010 U.S...
. The METRO headquarters are in the in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
.
History
The agency began operation in 1979, taking over the bus service run by the City of Houston known as HouTran. METRO's service area encompasses 1285 square mile and also serves portions of an eight-county region with its vanpool service; the agency employs about 3,800 people.
Executive Leadership
Shirley DeLibero served as President and CEO of METRO from 1999 until 2004. DeLibero was recruited to METRO by then-mayor Lee Brown, and was previously executive director of New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
. Her tenure was marked by the introduction of the METRORail
METRORail
METRORail is the light rail line in Houston . It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the...
light rail transit system and for passing the 2003 light rail expansion plan referendum.
DeLibero retired in the spring of 2004 and was replaced by Frank Wilson, a 30-year transit executive who had been president of AECOM Enterprises, a Los Angeles-based engineering consulting firm; Wilson had also previously been general manager of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy-rail public transit and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on of track with 44 stations in four counties...
(BART) in Northern California and was the Commissioner of Transportation for the State of New Jersey. Wilson arrived as the mayoral administration of Bill White replaced that of the term-limited Brown. In May 2010, Wilson signed a deal to terminate his employment as METRO president and chief executive officer.
George Greanias, a former city councilman and city controller, was named chief executive by the majority of the METRO board appointed by Mayor Annise Parker
Annise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
, even though he had no transit experience. Parker made the need for new leadership at METRO a key platform of her campaign, saying the leadership had damaged the agency's relationship with the community.
HOV system
METRO has been known for pioneering the use of express buses in HOV lanesHigh-occupancy vehicle lane
In transportation engineering and transportation planning, a high-occupancy vehicle lane is a lane reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers...
. 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 concrete barriers.
The HOV lanes run between Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
(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
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
lots and use "secret" HOV lane exits (often elevated T-intersections) that lead to the lots (also used by vehicles as well) 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.
METRO Bus
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and the Southwest. METRO's bus service also includes the HOV/Park and Ride System. Park and Ride stations are placed alongside the freeways and used heavily during peak times.
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.
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 look tacky. 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 advertisement on buses, METRO has since decided to continue enforcing its policy.Due to the lack of funding for METRO Rail expansion, the policy was mulled over to be extended to light rail vehicles in order to generate additional revenue. METRO began advertising the Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is a zoological park located within Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. Housing over 6,000 animals belonging to over 900 species, the zoo receives 1.6 million visitors each year and is the seventh most visited zoo in the nation...
on the side of three light rail vehicles in 2010. In late September 2010, due to the decreased budget, METRO began to seriously consider advertising on their buses.
Fares
In the fall of 2006, METRO revealed plans to rework its fare system. The new system involves pre-paid fare cards (contactless smart cardContactless smart card
A contactless smart card is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can process and store data, and communicate with a terminal via radio waves. There are two broad categories of contactless smart cards. Memory cards contain non-volatile memory storage components, and perhaps...
s), called Q Cards, that can be recharged on local buses and Metro TVMs. Transfers will be 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. (Similar smart cards are being used on transit systems nationwide, including those in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.)
Senior citizens 65-69 will continue to receive a discounted rate as will disabled patrons. Senior citizens over 70 may ride for free. This was intended to keep the base fare low and phase out the previous fare system consisting of transfers, as well as day, 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.
| Service Type | Regular | Discounted |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Routes
METRO's bus routes are numbered according to this:- Local bus routes -
- Limited bus routes -
- Park and Ride routes -
- Shuttle and Circulatory routes -
- QuicklineQuicklineQuickline is a bus rapid transit service owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County . The Quickline service began on June 1, 2009 with the 402 route , that parallels the 2-Bellaire regular service route, which is the most heavily used bus route that METRO facilitates...
routes - - METRORailMETRORailMETRORail is the light rail line in Houston . It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the...
routes -
METRO also provides shuttle service to areas including the Texas Medical Center
Texas Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research...
and Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
.
METRO's express and commuter buses which consists of 45 feet (13.7 m) MCI and New Flyer "Viking" buses have reclining seats, small individual lights, as well as small air conditioning vents for each seat.
Types of Service
- Local
Most METRO buses run typically on city streets, with majority of routes serving downtown Houston. There are some exceptions though. There are also local crosstown routes that run crosstown from one part of the city to another with no downtown service. Limited routes are typically local, not in the sense of limited stop service on major streets but more likely run as a regular stop route and simply have no stops along a major freeway. Circulatory routes start and end at a determined location and travel in a circle. Shuttle routes follow the same concept as limited routes, only to have special stops at points of interest. In 2008 METRO downgraded all its Express routes (100's) except for one (170) to Limited. Former bus routes that served downtown prior to METRORail were rerouted to terminate at METRORail stations to eliminate duplicate service and long trips; some routes were rerouted while the modified one kept the original number. Downtown routes such as the 52 Scott/Hirsch count as two routes (i.e. 52 Scott and 52 Hirsch).
- Express
Before several routes downgraded from Express to Local Limited, they were categorized as Express as they do not make stops along the freeway portion of the route for at least between downtown and the outlying areas. The only remaining true express route was the 170 Missouri City Express until it was also put under the Park & Ride (Commuter) Service.
- Park and Ride (Commuter)
METRO provides a well known Park and Ride service that serves riders who work downtown and live in outlying residential neighborhoods in the city of Houston, as well as several suburbs, where Park and Ride lots are located. A Park and Ride lot functions much like a transit center, and some Park and Ride lots are served by regular local routes in addition to the dedicated Park and Ride routes. During rush hour, each Park and Ride lot has its own route to reduce overcrowding, leading to multiple routes serving the same freeway. In the Midday, this type of service is combined to a single route serving multiple park and ride lots and designated with a 9 at the end of the route number (example: 219, 259, 229).
- QuicklineQuicklineQuickline is a bus rapid transit service owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County . The Quickline service began on June 1, 2009 with the 402 route , that parallels the 2-Bellaire regular service route, which is the most heavily used bus route that METRO facilitates...
This service began on June 1, 2009. Quickline is METRO's bus rapid transitBus rapid transitBus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
service, also known as Signature Service. The Bellaire corridor is the first for the pilot program with the route called the 402 (or QL2) to supplement service along the most heavily used bus route in the system, 2 Bellaire. The Quickline system features upgraded buses, fewer stops, and more modern and comfortable bus stops. The bus stops resemble those featured along the METRORail Red Line, with announced arrival times for upcoming buses. The intention of the Quickline is to test a route for its potential to turn into a future METRORail line.
Note: The Express and Park and Ride were once under the Commuter Routes umbrella until they gained their own distinctive non-stop service designations in 2004. As of 2010, aside from routes #170, 212, and 261, the routes are organized in corridors, but are now all listed as Park & Ride (Commuter) Service.
Park and Ride Lots
METRO operates 30 different Park and Ride locations. The buses used for these are built like GreyhoundGreyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
buses and are very comfortable for the rider. The Park and Ride locations are:
West locations
- Kingsland Park and Ride
- Addicks Park and Ride
- Mission Bend Park and Ride
- Westchase Park and Ride
- Gessner Park and Ride
- Grand Parkway Park and Ride - currently, this Park and Ride is in the Cinemark parking lot at the Grand Parkway/Interstate 10 intersection. A permanent facility will be built soon, as the lot is already at capacity after a few months.
Southwest locations
- Westwood Park and Ride
- West Bellfort Park and Ride
- Missouri City Park and Ride
- West Loop Park and Ride
- Hillcroft Park and Ride - will be home to a future light rail station.
Northwest locations
- Pinemont Park and Ride
- West Little York Park and Ride
- Northwest Park and Ride - will be served by the Cypress Commuter Rail Line by 2015.
- Cypress Park and Ride - This Park and Ride will be home to a future commuter rail station.
Northeast locations
- Eastex Park and Ride
- Townsen Park and Ride
- Kingwood Park and Ride
North locations
- North Shepherd Park and Ride
- Seton Lake Park and Ride
- Kuykendahl Park and Ride
- Spring Park and Ride
South locations
- Fannin South Park and Ride - also served by the Red Line. Currently the Red Line is under consideration for extension to Missouri City.
Southeast locations
- Monroe Park and Ride
- Fuqua Park and Ride
- South Point Park and Ride - reopened July 2010 with more parking and improved drainage.
- Bay Area Park and Ride - will be served by the Galveston Commuter Rail Line.
- Pasadena Park and Ride - opened in April 2009
East locations
- Maxey Park and Ride
- Baytown Park and Ride
Park and Ride Expansion
There are plans for future park and ride stations throughout the Houston Metropolitan Area. These locations are said to be:
- Pearland Park and Ride - this will serve the booming south Houston suburbs of PearlandPearland, TexasPearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700...
and ManvelManvel, TexasManvel is a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. The current population is approximately 7,160 as of April 2008, a 235% growth over the 3,046 population recorded in the last official US Census in 2000.- Geography :...
. METRO announced in July 2010 that this Park and Ride would be built at State Highway 288 and County Road 59. However, residents in the area of the intersection are opposed to this location because it places a Park & Ride in their neighborhood, something that has them raising various concerns because of why they moved to their location. After two hearings and the concerns of the residents raised, METRO decided in August 2010 that it will find a new location.
METRO Lift
METRORail
METRO's light rail service is known as METRO Rail. As stated above, Frank WilsonFrank Wilson
Frank Wilson may refer to:* Frank E. Wilson , U.S. Representative from New York* Frank H. Wilson , American actor* Frank J...
was formerly president before resigning in May 2010, in large part due to criminal allegations of shredding public documents. Longtime local politician George Greanias was appointed interim president, as appointed by Mayor Annise Parker
Annise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
.
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, and other information, and the trip planner displays itineraries showing the stops, departure and arrival times, and times to get from the origin to the destination.
Today, the average daily weekday ridership is 34,600. Notable records in ridership have occurred on the following dates:
- February 1, 2004: 64,005 passengers rode METRO during Super Bowl XXXVIIISuper Bowl XXXVIIISuper Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game played on February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 2003 regular season....
- 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 RodeoHouston Livestock Show and RodeoThe Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called RodeoHouston, is the world's largest live entertainment and livestock exhibition. It also includes the richest regular-season rodeo event. It has been held at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, since 2003...
On November 9, 2007, METRO surpassed its 40 million boardings mark, something it did not expect to happen until 2020.
METRO Light Rail lines
METRO currently operates one light rail line, called the Red LineMETRORail
METRORail is the light rail line in Houston . It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the...
. Five other lines were to be completed by the 2012, but current funding issues have dropped the number to an extended Red Line and two of the original four. The extension of the Red Line is now scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013 and the East End/Green Line in 2014. Due to federal investigations and the lack of funds, the plans may degenerate further. 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.
- METRO's first light rail line is the 7.5 miles (12.1 km) light rail line located in Houston, Texas, United States. It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the DARTDallas Area Rapid TransitThe Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority is a transit agency based in Dallas, Texas . It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs...
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 the Blue Line opened in Los Angeles).
Rolling stock
Houston operates a fleet of 18 SiemensSiemens AG
Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
-built Avanto
Avanto (tram)
The Siemens S70 or Avanto is a low-floor light rail vehicle or tram manufactured by Siemens AG. In the United States, Siemens refers to this model only as the S70, while the Avanto name is used in Europe....
light-rail vehicles. Each 96 feet (29.3 m) long, double articulated vehicle has 4 low platform doors per side and has a capacity of 72 seated and 148 standing passengers. Two vehicles are coupled together to handle rush-hour loads; longer assemblies are not feasible with existing platform lengths.
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As part of a deal with the Utah Transit Authority
Utah Transit Authority
The Utah Transit Authority operates a public transportation system throughout the Wasatch Front of Utah, United States. It operates fixed route buses, express buses, ski buses, three light rail lines , and a commuter rail line from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View, north of Ogden. UTA is based in...
, METRO is purchasing an additional 19 Avanto S70 rail cars to compliment the current rolling stock. These are expected to be in service in 2012 and will help with ridership demand.
Expansion
Additional rail will be laid as approved by a 52% yes to 48% no margin in the November 2003 electionElection
An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
. Critics have alleged the existence of a conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
in the planned expansion. Major contractors including Siemens AG
Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
, which constructs the train vehicles, contributed substantial amounts of money to the Political Action Committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
promoting the expansion referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
. Supporters of an expanded rail system in Houston have leveled similar charges against opponents of the referendum, noting that suburban development interests largely bankrolled the PAC opposing the referendum.
In June 2005, METRO announced a revised plan for expansion of the METRORail system. The plan included four new corridors, consisting of both light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
and bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
. The bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
lines would have later been converted into light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
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 go ahead and have all the lines consist of light rail from the start.
The planned expansions are within the city of Houston and will eventually reach the two major Houston airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
and William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport is a public airport in Houston, Texas, located from Downtown Houston. The airport covers and has four runways. Hobby Airport is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was the city's primary air terminal until the opening of Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969...
. METRO is planning service to suburbs in Houston
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
, as well as other parts of Houston. Alternatives Analysis and Draft Environmental Impact Analysis studies are currently underway on four extensions.
METRO is also planning a commuter rail
Regional rail
Commuter rail, also called suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates between a city center, and the middle to outer suburbs beyond 15km and commuter towns or other locations that draw large numbers of commuters—people who travel on a daily basis...
system in conjunction with the light rail system, pending feasibility of the plan. In addition, METRO wants to link up with a planned Commuter Rail line traveling from Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County, Texas
Fort Bend County is a county located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. In 2000 its population was 354,452, while the 2010 U.S...
to just south of Reliant Stadium, which would use an existing Union Pacific railroad, as well as an additional line branching out along the U.S. Highway 290 corridor to Hempstead, TX, and possibly further. A recent entrance by the Gulf Coast Freight Rail District may make the 290 corridor and the Galveston corridor possible by 2012, again pending feasibility. While heavy rail would not be a possibility to serve Fort Bend County, recent approval has been given to study an extension of the Red Line to Fort Bend from the Fannin South Station. Furthermore, Representative Gene Greene has issued a statement regarding a preliminary acquisition of funds for Houston projects, amongst them one million dollars to move forward and extend the Red Line south to Missouri City.
The passed voter referendum included:
- Additional 64.8 miles (104.3 km) of light rail
- Commuter rail service (28 miles)
- Increased access to activity centers
- Rail service to both airports
- More than 50 new rail stations
- 50% increase in bus service
The following lines and services were planned to be up and running by 2012, but various circumstances have changed the overall timing. According a statement by Annise Parker
Annise Parker
Annise Danette Parker is an American politician and the mayor of Houston since January 2, 2010. She served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2009...
, Houston's mayor, both the University Line
University Line (METRORail)
The University/Blue Line is a planned METRORail light rail route to be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO in Houston, Texas.-Opposition:...
and the Uptown Line
Uptown Line (METRORail)
The Uptown/Gold Line is a planned METRORail light rail route that will be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO in Houston, Texas.-Route:...
would be delayed until a future date when funding could be secured. According to construction details from the GO METRORail website, construction was moving slowly. Further delays to the construction were also a possibility pending the FTA investigation METRO (which began in April 2010) for possible "Buy America" violations by building new prototype cars in Spain. Another obstacle surfaced in August 2010 when METRO officially announced that it had fallen short $49 million on its budget, but insisted that the current dates for completion (Red Line Extension by 2013 and East End/Green Line by 2014) would not be affected. However, such was not the case, after the decision handed down by the FTA on September 8, 2010, that stated that METRO was in violation of "Buy America" rules - after talking with the board, on September 9, 2010, all progress for the three light rail lines under construction was to be slowed and a new (generic) date of 2014 was set.
The current plans to date are as follows:
- The Red Line Extension from UH–Downtown to the Northline Transit Center that will run 5.3 miles (9 km).
- The East End/Green Line will extend east 3.3 miles (5 km) from Downtown Houston to the Magnolia Transit Center.
- The Southeast/Purple Line will extend 6.1 miles (10 km) from downtown at Smith Street (near the Main Street line) and terminate at Palm Center around MLK and Griggs Street.
- The University/Blue LineUniversity Line (METRORail)The University/Blue Line is a planned METRORail light rail route to be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO in Houston, Texas.-Opposition:...
(according to Go METRORail) will extend 11.3 miles (18 km) from the Hillcroft Transit Center to the Eastwood Transit Center, and follow the Richmond/Wheeler and Westpark corridors with transfers to the Red Line at Wheeler StationWheeler StationWheeler Station is a station on the METRO Red Line in Houston, Texas . The station is located at the intersection of Main Street and Wheeler Street in Midtown....
and the Uptown/Gold Line at Bellaire/South Rice. According to what METRO reported to the local station, KRIV 26, this line has received a federal Record of Decision, what it calls the final step necessary to build this line.
- The Uptown/Gold LineUptown Line (METRORail)The Uptown/Gold Line is a planned METRORail light rail route that will be designed, constructed, and operated by METRO in Houston, Texas.-Route:...
(according to Go METRORail) will run from Bellaire/South Rice Station on Westpark through Uptown to the Northwest Transit Center for a total distance of 4.4 miles (7 km). This route possibly may be extended another 1.1 miles (2 km) to Northwest Mall. Also, another map shows that this line will be extended to the Hillcroft Transit Center, and furthermore it appears a duplicate line will make its way from the Northwest Transit Center to the Eastwood Transit Center. METRO was promised by the Uptown Management District that $70 million of infrastructure improvements would be implemented in order to allow METRO to build this line; however, this has not come to pass, and therefore METRO appears to keep the construction of the line in limbo for the present.
Countering the bad news regarding METRO's light rail expansion, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed bills allotting $150 million to the Red Line Extension and Southeast/Green Line light rail projects for fiscal year 2011. Added to the previous $150 million allotted fiscal year 2010, the total amount given to these projects is $300 million. However, according to the FTA, this will not be available to METRO unless they rebid the contract to build the new light rail cars. In light of this, METRO decided to build light rail only according to the funds they have while waiting to see if they will receive federal funds. Thus in late September 2010 METRO only came up with a figure of $143 million in funds available for construction.
METRO Solutions
METRO Solutions is a large transportation and infrastructure plan that will be complete by 2020. METRO Solutions includes the following from METRO's website:- Nearly 30 miles (48.3 km) of Light Rail Transit - 10 miles (16 km) known as University Line from Hillcroft to the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and, in the future, the Eastwood Transit Center; 5.3 miles (9 km) covering the extension of the existing Red Line north to the Northline Transit Center; and the Southeast, East End, and Uptown lines.
- 28 Miles of Commuter Rail Transit (CRT) - along US-290 from Cypress Park & Ride to Intermodal Facility and along US-90A from Missouri City to Fannin South Park & Ride/Rail Station; and along Texas 3 to Galveston. As explained above, though, commuter rail appears to be out of the question for now regarding the US-90A route. In August 2010, Representative Al Green decided to push the matter of the US-90A route at a luncheon meeting. METRO's findings were brought up during the presentation with estimates of 12,000 people riding commuter rail when commenced and 23,000 by 2030. Also, another study brought up indicated that the population of Houston would increase by 3.5 million, or double (and then some) the current population. Green also gave words of thanks to those showing support since the measure to create commuter rail was passed in 2003. METRO and the FTA also intend to file an Environmental Impact StatementEnvironmental impact statementAn environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy ActNational Environmental Policy ActThe National Environmental Policy Act is a United States environmental law that established a U.S. national policy promoting the enhancement of the environment and also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality ....
in 2011, outlining the purpose and need, alternatives, and various impacts of the project. - 40 Miles of Signature Bus Service/Suburban Bus Rapid Transit - Southeast Transit Center to Texas Medical Center, Uptown to US 90A CRT line, Gessner and State Highway 249/Tidwell.
- 10 New Transit Facilities - Northern Intermodal Facility serving different transit modes (Commuter Rail, Light Rail and BRT), five Transit Centers and four Park & Ride lots.
- HOV/HOT Conversion - modify one-way, reversible High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to two-way High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes.
METRO Police
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., is a credentialing authority , based in the United States, whose primary mission is to accredited public safety agencies, namely law enforcement agencies, training academies, communications centers, and campus public safety...
(CALEA), one of only five public transit police departments worldwide to be so.
Headquarters
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
. The $41 million 14 story glass and steel building has over 400000 square foot of space. The facility includes the Downtown Transit Center, a METRO Ride store, a Houston Police Department
Houston Police Department
The Houston Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency serving the City of Houston, Texas, United States and some surrounding areas. Its headquarters are in 1200 Travis in Downtown Houston....
storefront, and toilets for transiting passengers. The building was designed by Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville. As of August 2010, two floors of the building are not occupied and are not used in any way.
The building was scheduled to open in early 2004, coinciding with the beginning of the METRORail
METRORail
METRORail is the light rail line in Houston . It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the...
. 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. The Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
, a part of the federal government of the United States
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
, paid 80% of the construction costs, while METRO paid the other 20%.
Previously the METRO headquarters were in the Louisiana Place (now the Total Plaza
Total Plaza
Total Plaza is a tower in Downtown Houston, Texas, one block away from the Allen Center complex. The building, managed by Brookfield Properties, opened in 1971...
), also in Downtown Houston. The agency occupied 10 floors in the building and did not receive any federal funds to cover the $3.8 million annual rent. The METRO Board Room was located on the 16th floor. Total Petrochemicals USA
Total Petrochemicals USA
Total Petrochemicals USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of Total S.A. It engages in the production and marketing of petrochemical products. Its headquarters is the Total Plaza in Downtown Houston, Texas.-History:...
, a subsidiary of Total S.A.
Total S.A.
Total S.A. is a French multinational oil company and one of the six "Supermajor" oil companies in the world.Its businesses cover the entire oil and gas chain, from crude oil and natural gas exploration and production to power generation, transportation, refining, petroleum product marketing, and...
, moved into the space that was previously occupied by METRO; the agency scheduled its move into the Brown building to occur in January 2005. METRO's lease of 193000 square foot of space expired in April 2005.
Ridership and driver demographics
A 1995 survey concluded that 76% of people riding on local METRO bus lines took the buses because they had no other means of transportation. A 1993 survey concluded that of the people who had stopped riding local bus routes of METRO, 46% had acquired or repaired automobiles. 37% of the respondents said that METRO could not possibly do anything to convince them to ride the buses again. As of 1997 11 percent of METRO drivers were Hispanic. Around that time many residents who lacked a strong command of English feared taking METRO routes, believing that the METRO drivers would not be likely to understand them.Member cities
The METRO member cities include:Core city
- HoustonHouston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
Other cities
- BellaireBellaire, TexasBellaire is a city in southwest Harris County, Texas, United States, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 15,642 and is completely surrounded by the cities of Houston and West University Place....
- Bunker Hill VillageBunker Hill Village, TexasBunker Hill Village is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,654 at the 2000 census.The United States Postal Service uses "Houston" for all Bunker Hill Village addresses; "Bunker Hill Village" is not an acceptable city designation for mail addressed to places in Bunker...
- El LagoEl Lago, TexasEl Lago is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,075 at the 2000 census.El Lago has particular historical significance as it sits on the site of one of the main hide-outs for the famed pirate and war hero Jean Lafitte....
- Hedwig VillageHedwig Village, TexasHedwig Village is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,334 at the 2000 census.The United States Postal Service uses "Houston" for all Hedwig Village addresses; "Hedwig Village" is not an acceptable city designation for mail addressed to places in Hedwig...
- Hilshire VillageHilshire Village, TexasHilshire Village is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 720 at the 2000 census. The city is the smallest of the Memorial Villages in terms of area....
- HumbleHumble, TexasHumble is a city in Harris County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area.As of the 2000 census, the city population was 14,579. The city shares a zip code with the small Houston neighborhood of Bordersville, although people who live in Bordersville still have Humble...
- Hunters Creek VillageHunters Creek Village, TexasHunters Creek Village is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,374 at the 2000 census.The United States Postal Service uses "Houston" for all Hunters Creek Village addresses; "Hunters Creek Village" is not an acceptable city designation for mail addressed to places in...
- KatyKaty, TexasKaty is a city located in Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area...
- Missouri CityMissouri City, TexasMissouri City is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. The city is mostly in Fort Bend County with a small portion within Harris County. As of the 2000 U.S...
- Piney Point VillagePiney Point Village, TexasPiney Point Village is a city in Harris County, Texas. The population was 3,380 at the 2000 census. Piney Point Village is also considered one of the wealthiest communities in the Greater Houston area.-History:...
- Spring Valley Village
- Southside PlaceSouthside Place, TexasSouthside Place is a city in west central Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,546 at the 2000 census.As of 2000, Southside Place is the 13th wealthiest location in Texas by per capita income....
- Taylor Lake VillageTaylor Lake Village, TexasTaylor Lake Village is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,694 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Taylor Lake Village is located at ....
- West University PlaceWest University Place, TexasWest University Place, often called West University or West U for short, is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and southwestern Harris County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population of the city was 14,211...
In addition the agency serves many unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
s.
See also
- List of tram and light-rail transit systems
External links
Other sites of interest
- Run Over by Metro Houston PressHouston PressThe Houston Press is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Houston, Texas, United States. It is headquartered in Downtown Houston....