New METRO Policy Offers Suburbs a Clear Path to Transit

Metro Transit Authority of Harris County sent this bulletin at 05/26/2017 03:00 PM CDT

Media Hot Line 713.739.4040

Release Date:
May 26, 2017

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. Besides operating more than 1,200 buses on METRO’s network, METRORail's expanded system includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), Green Line (East End) and Purple Line (Southeast). METRO’s services also include: STAR Vanpool, METROLift, HOV/HOT lanes, Bike & Ride program, Park & Ride, and road improvement projects. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.

New METRO Policy Offers Suburbs a Clear Path to Transit

METRO's Board of Directors has approved a policy which would make bus service in communities outside METRO's service area possible. The new policy offers non-member jurisdictions a clear avenue to access local bus, Park & Ride and alternative-type services, like METRO's Community Connector.

The new policy allows neighboring communities to benefit from METRO bus services by covering METRO's cost of the services requested. None of those services would be subsidized by existing METRO members.

METRO Board Member Jim Robinson stated the new policy was an excellent compromise to address transportation issues faced by a growing region.

"So many of these suburban areas have used up all of their sales tax capacity for crime control districts and other sorts of things. This is really the only realistic way to approach this," Robinson said.

Board Member Sanjay Ramabhadran added, "I think this policy allows those that are not in the service area to experience the value and the benefit of being connected to a regional transit system. Hopefully, in time, it translates into a desire to become a member of the METRO system."

Please do not reply to this message. We are unable to respond to inquiries sent to this email account. Contact the METRO Press Office at 713-739-4040.

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