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Release Date: Feb 22, 2023
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO Celebrates "BOOST" in Funding Secured by U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher

From left: METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert, Montrose TIRZ Chair Joe Webb, METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran, U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, METRO Board Member Diann Lewter, METRO Board Member Troi Taylor, Westchase District Founding President Jim Murphy

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, METRO Board Members and executive leadership joined U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher along with the Westchase District and Montrose TIRZ to celebrate $5 million in new federal funding secured by the congresswoman and awarded to the Authority for its 82 Westheimer Signature BOOST Project.

Last year, Rep. Fletcher requested funding specifically for the project through the Community Funded Project process. Recently, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, a bipartisan government funding bill that funds essential programs, including METRO's Westheimer Signature BOOST Project.

The service is designed to provide faster transit connections between downtown, Greenway, Uptown, Westchase and West Oaks. It adds enhancements like traffic signal improvements, bus stop enhancements, new lighted bus shelters, improved passenger information, easier boarding platforms, and safe all-door access for METRO passengers along the 19-mile corridor.

"I was thrilled to partner with Houston METRO as well as community organizations to ensure its important work of making sure that transit and transportation across our community is accessible, affordable and efficient so that we keep Houstonians moving," said Fletcher.

METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran thanked Rep. Fletcher for her efforts and added that METRO's highest-ridership bus route is a lifeline for the Houston region.

"At METRO, we are incredibly thankful for partnerships — from individuals to community organizations, local businesses, and our elected officials who care about leaving this city — this region — better than they found it," said Ramabhadran. "And because of this grant, that’s exactly what people like Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher are doing."

METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert added that Houston area voters made it clear that investments in transit are a priority.

“In 2019, nearly 70 percent of Houston-area voters approved the METRONext Moving Forward Plan, which will bring 500 miles of travel improvements to the region. The 82 Westheimer Signature BOOST METRONext Project is part of METRO's promise to fulfill that plan,” said Lambert.

"At METRO, we are incredibly thankful for partnerships — from individuals to community organizations, local businesses, and our elected officials who care about leaving this city — this region — better than they found it," said Ramabhadran. "And because of this grant, that’s exactly what people like Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher are doing."

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.