A national consumer advocacy organization and its state affiliate has given METRO an "A" for showing taxpayers how their money is spent. U.S. Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) and TexPIRG compared METRO’s financial disclosures against dozens of other districts across the country.

Each year, the group releases a report titled “Following the Money” which tracks states’ progress providing public access to online information regarding spending. This year, the report focused on spending transparency and special districts. Out of the 79 special districts studied across the country METRO received one of the highest scores for its financial transparency.

“I’d like to commend the Port of Houston and the MTA of Harris County for getting high honors in this year’s PIRG report, and leading the way for special purpose districts when it comes to financial transparency,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

"METRO operations and financial reports have been open and accessible to the public for several years now," said Tom Lambert, METRO's president & CEO. "We are extremely proud to be recognized nationally."

Examples of METRO's transparency efforts include streaming board meetings and public hearings on http://www.ridemetro.org/. In addition, METRO offers a single web page that offers a glance at the agency's check register, budgets, financial reports, bond disclosure documents and instructions on filing an open records request.