Houston’s public transit system just got a major upgrade, and it’s more than just a fresh coat of paint. On Monday, METRO unveiled the METRONow plan, an ambitious and transformative vision designed to enhance ridership, improve mobility, and redefine the transit experience for millions of Houstonians.

"The new Board of Directors is laser-focused on ensuring all we do ties to ridership and mobility," said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. "METRONow is the roadmap to a sustainable, fiscally responsible public transit system. By meeting our customers where they are today, we will make it easy for people to choose METRO."

 

 

A New Era for METRO: The Four Pillars of METRONow

Houston is stepping into the future with a transit system designed for safety, efficiency, and accessibility. The METRONow plan prioritizes four key initiatives:

✅ Strengthening Safety & Growing Security
✅ Improving Cleanliness Across the System
✅ Increasing Service & Reliability
✅ Expanding Accessibility for All 

Prioritizing Safety: A More Secure Journey

If you’ve ever wished for a safer, more secure ride, METRO is making it happen. The Authority is investing $7 million in 2025 to boost security measures, including:

🚓 Increasing the presence of officers and adding new substations
🚆 Deploying patrols on buses and trains for passenger safety
📹 Upgrading monitoring technology across the transit network
💡 Installing new lighting and security fencing to improve visibility and protection

"Every great city has a viable, successful public transit system," Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasized. "As mayor, I expect METRONow to focus on using resources wisely to build transit that people will use: a cleaner, safer, and more efficient system that improves the overall customer experience." 

Cleaner Rides, Fresher Spaces

Ever wished your daily commute felt a little more fresh? METRO is answering that call with a $2.4 million investment to ensure Houston’s transit stays pristine and inviting:

🧹 Deploying eight street sweepers and eight all-terrain vacuum trucks
🛠️ Launching a 24-hour rapid response team for bus stops, rail platforms, and transit centers
♻️ Partnering with management districts for cleaner, better-maintained shelters
🌿 Enhancing landscaping and curb appeal across the system

Reliability & Service: Because Every Minute Counts

Houston’s streets are always on the move, and so is METRO. The METRONow plan is making transit faster and more efficient by:

🚦 Investing $200 million into Inner Katy traffic relief
🏗️ Contributing $300 million to the Gulfton revitalization project
🚉 Pumping $100 million into mobility solutions at railroad crossings

And if you think that’s impressive, METRO is also modernizing its fleet and services with:

🚌 350 new buses hitting the streets
🚐 100 brand-new METROLift vehicles for enhanced accessibility
📅 Expanded curb2curb microtransit service
🗺️ Restructured routes and schedules to meet the needs of a growing city 

Accessibility for All Houstonians

Houston is a city for everyone, and METRO is making sure no one gets left behind. By 2025, METRONow aims to:

♿ Upgrade 700+ bus stops to be fully ADA-compliant
🚲 Introduce more bike racks on buses and designated bike areas on trains
🔄 Enhance signage and lighting for improved navigation
✈️ Ensure direct airport service routes become a permanent fixture in the METRO system

And yes, this includes gearing up for the FIFA World Cup! METRO is already planning direct routes to and from Houston’s airports to ensure that residents and visitors alike can navigate the city with ease. 

Why METRONow Matters for Houston

Public transit isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B—it’s about building a stronger, safer, and more connected Houston. The METRONow plan is setting the stage for a future where:

🌎 More people choose public transit over cars, reducing congestion and emissions
🏙️ Houston continues to evolve as a world-class city with a reliable transit network
💼 New job opportunities emerge as METRO expands its workforce and services 

Final Thoughts: A Houston-First Future

With METRONow, Houston’s transit future is bright, bold, and built for everyone. This is more than just a plan—it’s a commitment to a better, safer, and more efficient way to move around the Bayou City.

🔗 Want to learn more? Read the full METRONow plan here: METRONow Official Website

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