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Release Date: Aug. 25, 2022
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

HOV/HOT Lanes to Remain Open Seven Days a Week Following Pilot

After a successful summer pilot program, METRO's HOV/HOT Express Lanes will remain open seven days a week permanently.

METRO’s Board of Directors today approved a plan that keeps the HOV/HOT Lanes on Interstate 45, U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 290 open on weekends. Weekend and holiday operations will follow the same schedule, occupancy requirements and tolls as weekdays.

"Yes, our job is to connect people to jobs, but it is also to connect people to recreational opportunities, weekend trips, leisure trips, trips to schools and universities," said METRO Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. "Having a consistent seven-day operation is a significant benefit."

The weekend pilot program began Saturday, July 2, and was set to end Monday, Sept. 5. The recently approved permanent implementation will begin Saturday, Sept. 10.

Click here for schedules and toll rates.

How to Access HOV/HOT Lanes METRO’s HOV/HOT lanes run in one direction but are reversible depending on the time of day. In the mornings, vehicles travel toward downtown Houston. In the afternoons, they travel away from downtown Houston. Toll requirements depend on the freeway, time of day and total number of people in your vehicle.

Click here for videos and an interactive map to learn more about how to access Express Lanes.

Laws of the Lanes

• Carpools, vanpools and motorcyclists ride for free.
• Solo drivers may pay a toll to use the lanes.
• Trailer towing is prohibited.
• No trucks with more than two axles or a gross weight capacity of one ton or greater.
• No bicycles (motorcycles permitted).
• No pedestrians.

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 Express Lanes, curb2curb microtransit service and METRO 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 Houston 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.