All Tickets Distributed for METRORail Fest 2015

Press Release New Metro Going Places
 

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Release Date:   Friday, May 22, 2015

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The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, reliable and affordable transportation services about 370,000 times per day. METRO operates more than 1,200 buses, and METRO's New Bus Network is coming soon. For a good picture of where we are headed see our new system map. METRO is currently expanding its 13-mile Red Line with two new lines under construction. Other METRO services include: Star Vanpool, METROLift, HOV lanes, HOT lanes, Bikes-on-Buses/Trains program, Park & Ride, and road improvement projects. Learn more about METRO visit ridemetro.org where you can download our information about our T.R.I.P. app and our interactive rider tool METRO 360 [take a seat].  


BBVA Compass Stadium, managed by AEG Facilities and part of its global network of the most elite venues worldwide, is a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host Houston Dynamo matches and Texas Southern University football games as well as additional professional, collegiate and community sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, conventions and special events. Opened on May 12, 2012, the 340,000-square foot, 22,000-seat stadium is the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city’s downtown district.  With its downtown location, the new stadium is a part of a true ‘Stadium District,’ which includes Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center, as well as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, Warehouse Live and House of Blues

   

Tickets No Longer Available for METRORail Fest 2015 Celebrating the Opening of New Light-Rail Lines

Connecting Communities with Rail Service and Free NE-YO Concert

METRO is delivering the goods, and the public has snapped up every available seat for the highly anticipated METRORail Fest Concert.  Saturday, May 23, 2015 is the official welcome to more transit options as the Green (East End) Line makes its way down Harrisburg through the historic East End and the Purple (Southeast) Line begins service through one of Houston's oldest African-American neighborhoods.

The new lines provide customers with convenient travel to the downtown Theater District, nightlife and entertainment centers including Discovery Green, the George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center, BBVA Compass Stadium and Minute Maid Park with continued access to midtown, the Museum District, Texas Medical Center, Moody Park and the Northline Transit Center / HCC. The Green (East End) Line runs 3.3 miles from downtown, east along Harrisburg, while the Purple (Southeast) Line is 6.6 miles long and connects downtown with the University of Houston Central Campus, Texas Southern University and The Palm Center. Both new routes intersect the existing Main Street Red Line.

Each rail station platform showcases METRO's Arts in Transit program, featuring the work of 22 artists who illustrate the cultural and artistic diversity of the communities they serve. Stations on the Southeast Line highlight African-American heritage and those on the East End line focus on Mexican-American culture.

METRORail Fest 2015 takes place on Saturday, May 23 in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, BBVA Compass Stadium and with CBS Radio. The festival will celebrate METRO’s Connecting Communities initiative showcasing the city’s finest attributes including its the new rail lines, live music, family fun activities and a spectacular fireworks show. METRO will provide FREE light-rail rides all day and there will be a FREE concert sponsored by Parsons and Houston Rapid Transit (HRT).

METRORail Fest 2015 takes place on Saturday, May 23 in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, BBVA Compass Stadium and with CBS Radio. The festival will celebrate METRO’s Connecting Communities initiative showcasing the city’s finest attributes including its the new rail lines, live music, family fun activities and a spectacular fireworks show. METRO will provide FREE light-rail rides all day and there will be a FREE concert sponsored by Parsons and Houston Rapid Transit (HRT).

Due to overwhelming response, METRORail Fest 2015 Tickets are no longer available.  The community can still participate in four rallies and ribbon-cutting ceremonies across the city Saturday, May 23. 

At 3 p.m., METRO will host pep rallies with live entertainment and formal ribbon-cutting ceremonies at The Palm Center, East End, Theater District and EaDO rail stations. Stakeholders will take the inaugural ride to the BBVA Compass Stadium for additional festivities and a free concert.

Headlining the event is GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, NE-YO. With three #1 albums and 10 million albums sold worldwide, NE-YO, has also written and produced chart-topping hits for today’s biggest stars including Rihanna, Beyonce, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and many more. NE-YO recently released his sixth full-length studio album Non-Fiction, which topped the R&B Charts.

Also performing is the GRAMMY nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Frankie J, a former member of the Kumbia Kings. Frankie J has performed chart-topping English and Spanish hits to adoring crowds across the world. Rounding off the entertainment line-up is the Ernest Walker Band, Zenteno Spirit, Mario Havikoro Dancers and Herman Charles Dancers. A fireworks finale will conclude this grand occasion.


WHEN:  SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 3-9 p.m.

3 – 4:30 p.m. Purple, Green, Downtown Lines Inaugural Rides and Community Celebrations begin

  • The Palm Center –  Ribbon-Cutting
  • East End – Ribbon-Cutting
  • Theater District – Ribbon-Cutting
  • EaDO BBVA Compass Stadium – Ribbon-Cutting

5 p.m.  Community Rally Finale and Daytime Fireworks

5:30 p.m.  Concert begins with Ernest Walker Band, Zenteno Spirit, Mario Havikoro Dancers and Herman Charles Dancers

7 p.m.              Frankie J

8 p.m.              NE-YO

8:45 p.m.         Fireworks Finale

 Times are subject to change.

 WHERE:               Ribbon-Cutting Rail Line Stations:

                              The Palm Center: 5330 Griggs Rd.

                              East End: 4516 Harrisburg Blvd. 

                              Theater District: 650 Rusk St.

                              Main Festival Site:

                              BBVA Compass Stadium

                              2200 Texas Ave.