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Release Date: Aug. 26, 2021
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO Board Approves Agency-wide Commitment to a More Sustainable Future

The METRO Board of Directors has approved the adoption of the Authority's first Sustainability Vision Statement.

The vision statement includes a series of environmentally sustainable initiatives and investments, including the adoption of a 100 percent zero-emission bus replacement goal by 2030 and the development of an agency-wide Climate Action Plan. Staff will present the Climate Action Plan for Board approval no later than January 2022.

METRO has already moved forward with the purchase of 20 full-size electric buses and 10 paratransit vans and has applied for federal grants through the FTA Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program to fund the $25 million purchase of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure. The Authority will also explore the use of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The move toward procuring more environmentally friendly vehicles also focuses on improving equity and accessibility. Initial routes will serve communities designated in the city of Houston’s Complete Communities program and disproportionately impacted by carbon emissions. 

METRO is one of 69 public transit organizations nationwide that has stepped up to the Federal Transportation Administration’s Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge launched in June. Participating organizations have committed to taking bold actions and investments to support a goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT lanes, Community Connector microtransit and Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.  Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the region.  Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the  METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in the region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. 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.