Release Date: May 7, 2020
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO's HOV/ HOT Lanes Reopening

Weekly Service Update for Week of May 10th 

All METRO HOV/HOT lanes will resume normal operations next week. Beginning at 5 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020, commuters can plan to take their normal HOV/HOT route. METRO operates the lanes along Interstate 45, U.S. Highway 59, and U.S. Highway 290 West. Toll charges for use of the lanes will resume as well. 

HOV lanes are reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers. Each vehicle that travels on an HOV Lane must carry at least two or, in some cases, three people. During non-peak hours, single-occupant vehicles can access the HOV / HOT lanes for a toll.  Charges and occupancy requirements vary by lane and time of day. Additional information can be found by clicking this link.

The implementation of new occupancy requirements for some of the lanes approved earlier this year by the METRO Board to help allow for faster commutes has been delayed until further notice.

METRO continues to encourage riders to use public transit for only essential trips.

Park & Ride

The following Park & Ride routes serving the Texas Medical Center will operate on a regular weekday schedule. Service on all other Park & Ride routes remains suspended.

• 170/171 Missouri City Express / Fort Bend Town Center 
• 292 West Bellfort / Westwood / TMC 
• 297 South Point / Monroe / TMC 
• 298 Kingsland / Addicks / Northwest Transit Center / TMC 
• 291 Conroe Park & Ride will only run 6:30 a.m. inbound and 4:30 p.m. outbound trips.

Local Bus

• Local bus routes will continue to run on a modified Saturday Schedule seven days a week.
• Route designations can be found on bus stop signs and on this METRO local bus route color chart.
• Extra buses have been added on routes with high demand to allow riders to spread out on vehicles.

METROLift

• Seating capacity on METROLift vehicles is reduced by 50 percent to encourage social distancing which may lead to delays.
• Please call METROLift Customer Service at 713-225-0119 if you have questions or need assistance.

METRO continues expanded cleanings of vehicles, platforms and shelters.

Please keep the following recommendations in mind when riding METRO:

• Riders are encouraged to wear face coverings to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as recommended by public health officials, and in line with Harris County's face covering order .
• Click this link to learn how to make your own face coverings.
• Follow these instructions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to wear your face coverings.
• Boarding of local buses should occur using rear doors.
• Separation of six feet or more from other people while on METRO vehicles, platforms and shelters is encouraged. 
• Fares are temporarily suspended.
• All METRORide stores remain closed.
• Customers are encouraged to monitor METRO's Twitter and Facebook pages for timely information regarding transit. METRO also offers real-time information through its service alerts system.

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 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.