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Release Date: June 30, 2023
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO Celebrates New Bus Shelter Artwork in Historic Independence Heights

METRO Board Members and staff along with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston City Council Member Karla Cisneros and leaders from the Independence Heights neighborhood cut the ribbon on new bus shelters designed in partnership with the community. 

"At METRO we strive to invest in communities that we serve," said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. "We are honored to make this investment, but also help share these special stories of perseverance and of the pioneers of Independence Heights."

The Independence Heights neighborhood is a historic Black community and the first city incorporated by African Americans in Texas.

The new bus shelter designs feature the neighborhood’s rich history and stories of the many notable figures of the community.

"It is a project that has been a labor of love ... When people are riding, they will see pictures of the first mayors, pictures of young people in the schools, pictures of the early businesses," said Tanya Debose, executive director of the Independence Heights Redevelopment Council.

The four shelters are located at Main @ 32nd Main @ 43rd Airline @ 34th and Yale @ Cockerel. METRO will continue to partner with the community for more designs, which will be installed over time.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee presents a proclamation at the ribbon cutting event.

At Airline @ 34th, riders learn about Washington Stokes, known as the “The Fruit Man.” He used farming to become a self-made entrepreneur.

New bus shelter artwork at Main @ 43rd.

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.