What is METRO?
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, known as METRO, is the public transit agency for Houston and much of Harris County. It runs bus, light rail, paratransit and other services across a service area of more than 1,300 square miles.
When was METRO created?
Houston-area voters created METRO in 1978. The same election established its one-cent sales tax. METRO opened for business in 1979 and took over HouTran, the company that had run local transit.
Missouri City joined METRO through the 1978 election, in which the measure passed there 1,338 to 679. Missouri City says its City Council cannot remove the city from METRO and that any withdrawal would need a public vote.
Voters have since approved two long-range plans: the METRO Solutions referendum in November 2003 and the METRONext Moving Forward Plan in November 2019.
What area does METRO serve?
The service area includes the City of Houston, major portions of unincorporated Harris County and 14 other cities, called the Multi-Cities:
- Bellaire
- Bunker Hill Village
- El Lago
- Hedwig Village
- Hilshire Village
- Humble
- Hunters Creek Village
- Katy
- Missouri City
- Piney Point Village
- Southside Place
- Spring Valley Village
- Taylor Lake Village
- West University Place
How is METRO funded?
METRO’s funding includes a one-cent sales tax collected in its service area. Up to 25 percent of that revenue is returned to the City of Houston, Harris County and the Multi-Cities through the General Mobility Program.
What services does METRO run?
- Local bus: more than 80 routes
- Park & Ride: express buses for suburban riders, with more than 40 parking facilities
- METRORail: three light rail lines, Red, Green and Purple, in and around downtown Houston
- METROLift: shared-ride paratransit for preapproved riders with disabilities
- METRO curb2curb, Community Connector, METRO Vanpool and HOV/HOT express lanes
METRO’s police officers are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Who governs METRO?
A nine-member board of directors governs METRO. Members are appointed by the City of Houston, Harris County or the Multi-Cities. City of Houston members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by City Council. Harris County members are appointed by Commissioners Court. Multi-Cities members are appointed by the mayors of the 14 Multi-Cities. The board usually meets on the fourth Thursday of each month.