What Is METROLift & How Does It Work?

METROLift is a service offered by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. METROLift provides transportation for persons with a disability who cannot board, ride, or disembark from a regular METRO fixed-route bus, even if that bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp.

METROLift uses wheelchair lift - or ramp-equipped vans, four-door sedans and minivans to provide service. Persons using wheelchairs and scooters will be accommodated with lift - or ramp-equipped vans. Boarding chairs are available
to assist any patron who is unable to access the van using the stairs. Please note that patrons cannot request specific vehicle types. Patrons who can walk will ride on vans and/or sedans based on which vehicle is nearest the patron at the time the trip is scheduled.

METROLift is a public transportation service for people with disabilities. METROLift transports over 6,000 patrons each day and we rely on our patrons to immediately inform our dispatch office when service issues occur. Our partnership with our patrons enables METROLift to respond more quickly to service issues reducing wait time for our patrons. Patrons must be able to independently travel to and from the vehicle parked at the curb for all scheduled pick-up and drop-off locations. For any patron who may not be able to independently assume this responsibility, such as those who have a cognitive, visual disability or younger patrons, it is the sole responsibility of the patron’s guardian to ride with the patron or arrange to have a responsible party meet the vehicle and collect the patron at the origin and destination. It is the responsibility of the guardian to keep track of the patron in case the building is closed or if the responsible party fails to show-up as planned. METRO highly recommends an attendant ride with the patrons to ensure their safety and prevent the patron from wandering off unattended after they leave the METROLift vehicle.

Do I Ride METROLift By Myself?

METROLift is a shared-ride service. This means that each vehicle makes several stops en route to its various destinations. When scheduling, patrons must remember to allow sufficient time to stop and pick up others. A minimum of one hour travel time should be allowed for your trips and two hours for longer trips traveling across the service area. If you have an appointment, it is highly recommended that you move the appointment time one hour earlier to allow for unexpected delays in service.   

METROLift Rules Of The Road

To ensure maximum safety for you and other patrons, passengers are required to wear a METRO furnished seatbelt while riding the METROLift vehicle. For persons who use wheelchairs, passenger safety requires that a METROLift operator secure your wheelchair with specially developed tie-downs. You must also wear two METROLift provided seatbelts. One METROLift furnished seatbelt is required while you are riding up or down on the wheelchair lift, and the second seatbelt goes around you and attaches to the floor while you ride the METROLift vehicle. All METROLift passengers must remain in place until the vehicle is stopped and the driver removes the seatbelt and wheelchair securements.

All children under 2 years and/or under 40 pounds must travel in an approved child carseat furnished by the parent or person accompanying the child regardless of the vehicle type. City of Houston Ordinance 77-1667 forbids passengers from smoking, eating or drinking in the vehicle.

Guide dogs and service animals are permitted; however, you must tell the reservation operator that you will be traveling with an animal each time you make a trip reservation. Non-service pets are only allowed to travel in an animal carrier transported by the patron.

Patrons must be able to handle their own packages. Patrons may carry only the amount of packages that they can safely handle when riding in a METROLift vehicle. The driver can assist with a reasonable number of packages (3 or 4) in and out of the vehicle, but the patron must handle the packages beyond the curb or make arrangements for assistance.

METROLift has the right to refuse service to any patron who is considered to be a threat to themselves, other riders or the safe operation of the vehicle.

METROLift records and monitors passenger calls to our office to ensure courteous phone services.

School districts are responsible for providing transportation for students. Therefore, METROLift transportation is not provided to students going to and from a district school or sponsored events.