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Release Date: Nov. 24, 2025
Media Hot Line: 713-739-4040
 The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) has been awarded $100,728,336 through the Federal Transit Administration’s Low- or No-Emission Bus grant program. This is the largest award received by any transit agency in Texas.
The funding will allow METRO to replace 100 aging diesel buses with new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, build a new CNG fueling station, and upgrade maintenance facilities to safely support expanded CNG operations. These investments will help METRO reduce emissions, improve service reliability, and meet growing regional demand for public transportation.
The new buses will significantly improve air quality across METRO’s service area by reducing up to 98 percent of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This will particularly benefit communities near high-traffic corridors, where many children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory conditions live, work, and go to school.
The transition to CNG will also displace more than 2.27 million gallons of diesel annually, lowering carbon emissions by 15,576 metric tons of CO₂e — the equivalent of removing 3,633 gasoline cars from the road each year.
“This funding represents a major step in our effort to transition METRO’s fleet to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” Interim President and CEO Tom Jasien said. “These improvements will strengthen our commitment to sustainability while ensuring we continue to deliver reliable service for the Houston region. We appreciate the FTA’s support as we upgrade our fleet to better meet the needs of our environment and move METRO forward.”
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