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Release Date: Dec. 19, 2023
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO Commemorates Completion of 5,000 Universally Accessible Bus Stops

METRO Board Members and executive leadership joined community partners and U.S. Rep. Al Green to celebrate the completion of 5,000 universally accessible bus stops.

The event marks a major milestone in the Authority's Universal Accessibility Initiative, which began in 2017 and led to millions of dollars in investments from METRO, the Houston-Galveston Area Council and through the METRONext Moving Forward Plan.

The program calls for updates to all 9,000 bus stops to ensure they meet or exceed the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, so all people can access, understand and use METRO's facilities. Bus stop enhancements include wider sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, larger bus pads and tactile paving which assist pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired.

"All of those improvements make a world of a difference, but it's about the people," said Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran at the event. "It's about making their ride easier, more comfortable and contributing to a culture of inclusivity."

The project benefits everyone using METRO, whether the rider is in a wheelchair or is a mom with a stroller. 

"An accessible transit system is a gateway to more opportunity as it unlocks access to a broader world—to jobs, education, healthcare and recreation," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert. "This initiative aims to ensure that everyone in this community has this access." 

All METRO-owned vehicles are ADA accessible. METRO also offers discounted fares for passengers living with disabilities.

Watch the event livestream.

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.