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Release Date: Dec. 12, 2023
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

Hop on Board: METRO and Houston Mayor Celebrate Transit Innovation

Today, METRO and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner unveiled the Authority's all-new autonomous shuttle and provided an update on the agency's move toward zero-emissions vehicles. The event marks a significant step towards transforming the region into a leader in innovative and eco-friendly transportation.

"At METRO, we believe that innovation and sustainability are not just responsibilities, but opportunities to create a better tomorrow," said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. "We are passionate about building a thriving, livable, and equitable future for the Houston region, and we are working hard to make it a reality for generations to come."

FutureLink, part of the second phase of METRO's autonomous vehicle (AV) testing program, is a fully autonomous zero-emission shuttle that can operate on city streets, providing residents with first and last-mile connections between Texas Southern University and METRO's Eastwood Transit Center. The mid-size level 4 autonomous, zero-emission shuttle bus can seat 14 passengers and accommodate up to two wheelchairs.

"Today, we're excited to share the first viewing of METROLink, Houston's shuttle of the future," said METRO Chief Innovation Officer Kim Williams. "Once deployed, it will be one of the first mid-size autonomous transit shuttles in the country."

Also on display was METRO's electric bus, part of the Authority's growing fleet of zero-emission vehicles and an important piece of its ambitious Climate Action Plan, which outlines METRO's path towards a greener future.

Funding for the project was provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through its Accelerating Innovative Mobility program. Phase 2 of the pilot program is expected to run through October 2024. A final report will be completed by March 2025.

"FutureLink represents the intersection of innovation and sustainability," said Mayor Turner. "METRO continues to pioneer change and today, we celebrate METRO's commitment to advancing our city's vision for the future in which transportation is safe, equitable, and resilient."

"At METRO, we believe that innovation and sustainability are not just responsibilities, but opportunities to create a better tomorrow," said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran.

Passengers on board METRO's FutureLink shuttle experience a demonstration of the vehicle's autonomous technology firsthand. Watch the full event livestream. B-roll for media can be downloaded here.

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.