Safety for Passengers, Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers | METRO

METRO is a Proud Partner of Vision Zero Houston

We’re working with other organizations to help improve safety and accessibility of streets and sidewalks. The goal is to end traffic deaths and serious injuries caused by crashes on Houston roads by the year 2030.

Be Safe. Be Seen.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility and it starts with you. Whether you’re riding METRO or you’re in the vicinity of one of our vehicles, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you.

METRO Bus

Please do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe throughout your entire trip on a METRO bus.

Riders boarding a METRO local bus at the Texas Medical Center transit center

Many incidents occur when someone doesn’t follow safety rules and/or METRO’s code of conduct.

Examples:

Always enter the bus through the front door
Avoid conversation with the operator when the bus is in motion
Don’t play music out loud inside the bus
No eating or drinking on the bus

Safety rules apply when you’re waiting, boarding, riding and exiting.

Learn More

METRORail

METRORail trains are very quiet and move along the street just like other vehicles. So as you’re walking, rolling or biking to the station where you board, it’s important to be safe, be seen and stay alert.

The tracks are separated from the roadway by raised white domes, as seen in the foreground of the photo. These domes are a warning to stay off the tracks. Many incidents occur when someone doesn’t follow the rules of the road or METRO’s code of conduct.

Safety rules apply when you’re waiting, boarding, riding and exiting.

Learn More

Pedestrians

When you’re walking, rolling or biking around METRO transit vehicles, it’s important to be safe, be seen and remain alert at all times because safety doesn't happen by accident.

Protecting yourself starts by following these pedestrian crossing tips:

Cross the street only at an intersection or designated crosswalk
At intersections with lights and signals, wait for the WALK signal
Never cross the street on a steady DON'T WALK signal
Always look both ways and over your shoulder before crossing the street
Never cross in front of a bus or train
Put aside all distractions including your phone, ear buds or other devices
Place yourself between children and the road when there's oncoming traffic
Never enter roadway from between parked cars or behind bushes
At night, wear bright colors or reflective clothing that’s easy to see

If there are no crosswalks, pay close attention to all posted signs and yield to vehicles. We also suggest you avoid construction zones and avoid walking around lowered crossing gates.

Cyclists

When you’re riding a bicycle or motorcycle around METRO transit vehicles, it’s important to always follow the rules of the road because safety doesn't happen by accident. Be safe, be seen and stay alert.

Bicyclist riding through Downtown Transit Center

This is especially important around METRORail lines. Trains travel along the street and are very quiet. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and those around you:

Pay attention to and obey all traffic signs and signals
Never enter an intersection against the traffic lights – you could be ticketed
Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging
Double check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out
Listen for train whistles, bells and horns - and never stop on the tracks
Cross tracks only at designated crossings and only when it’s safe to do so
Never ride or walk your bicycle around lowered crossing gates, as this indicates a train is approaching
Look both ways before crossing the tracks (trains travel in both directions)
Never race a train or try to beat the train to a crossing

Motorists

When you’re driving around METRO transit vehicles, it’s important to always follow the rules of the road and avoid distracted driving because safety doesn't happen by accident. Focus on the drive.

Passenger vehicles riding on a surface street in downtown Houston as METRORail train runs alongside.

In certain areas, you may be riding on the same street as a METRORail line. The trains are very quiet. If you don’t remain alert, you could accidentally turn into a train.

And if you hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk, it's a criminal offense regardless of whether the pedestrian is walking, cycling or using any type of mobility device. You could be charged with a class A misdemeanor which carries penalties of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you.

Learn More

METRO police officer assisting family on METRORail

METRO Police Department (MPD)

MPD officers are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Every day, uniformed officers patrol area streets, roadways and METRO facilities.

Learn More

Rider Tools

Below are some tools to make your METRO riding experience easier and more convenient so you can drive less and do more.

Rider Safety (METRO Bus)

Use designated crosswalks and sidewalks to get to the bus stop
Wait for your bus on the sidewalk or at the designated stop or shelter
Stand 2-3 feet back from the curb
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding

Allow others to exit the bus before boarding
Enter the bus through the front door
Keep children close, and board together
Use the handrails to avoid slipping or falling
Never cross in front of or behind the bus

Do:

Stay seated while the bus is in motion unless you are holding onto a handrail
Keep hands, feet and personal items clear from closing doors
Keep your head and arms inside the bus window
Keep your feet, legs, arms and personal items out of the aisle
If you’re using a wheelchair, we recommend using the shoulder restraint when riding

Don’t:

Don’t sit in the priority seating area at the front of the bus unless you’re elderly or disabled
Avoid conversation with the operator when the bus is in motion
Don’t play music out loud inside the bus
No eating or drinking on the bus
Never stand in the stairwell or in front of the yellow line near the driver
Don't stand near the doors while the bus is moving

Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting
Exit the bus through the door nearest to you
As you exit the bus, watch for cars
Never cross in front of or behind a bus – drivers cannot see you
Wait for the bus to pull away before crossing the street

Rider Safety (METRORail)

Stop. Look. Listen.

A train can approach any track, at any place, at any time. Lowered gates, flashing lights and ringing bells indicate that a train is coming. So please remain alert:

While waiting on station platforms
Walking across an area where the train crosses a road

We advise you to:

Pay attention to pedestrian and traffic signals and signs
Listen for train horns, whistles and signal bells
Avoid walking around lowered crossing gates
Don’t try to beat the lights
Don’t stop on the tracks.

Stay Alert at All Times.

Stand behind the yellow or white warning strip on the platform
Don’t approach the train until it’s come to a full stop
Watch your step when entering the train
If riding with children, hold their hand while on train platforms and when boarding
Wear any bag with belongings cross-body, so it remains in front of you at all times
If you’re carrying a backpack, make sure it’s zipped
Pay using a METRO fare card – it prevents you from pulling cash out to pay for a rail ticket

All METRORail platforms are equipped with surveillance cameras that monitor activity.

If an emergency occurs on the platform while you’re waiting, use the emergency call box. It goes straight to MPD Dispatch.

Safety Starts With You

Please remain seated while the train is in motion
Only stand if there are no more seats available
If standing, hold on to the handrails or safety hand straps

All METRORail trains are equipped with surveillance cameras that monitor activity inside the train.

In case an emergency occurs during your ride, use the passenger intercom unit adjacent to the doorways inside the vehicle to contact the operator.

Thank You for Riding

Always wait until the train comes to a complete stop before exiting
Exit the train through the door nearest to you
Watch your step when exiting the train
If riding with children, hold their hand while exiting
Wait for the train to pull away and stay alert when crossing the tracks

Vision Zero Houston

You deserve to be safe on our streets whether you’re driving, walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or riding transit.

While everyone should travel safely, people make mistakes, and we can design our streets to be forgiving so that those mistakes don’t result in fatal crashes.

Our streets support our livelihoods, and we must commit to making them safer for everyone so we can end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

How bad is the problem?

At least every other day someone loses their life
Three people a day are seriously injured

Who are the victims?

Over 30% of traffic deaths are people walking and biking in Houston
21% of pedestrian deaths are children and seniors
Nearly 60% of serious injuries are people driving

Where is this happening?

26% of traffic deaths happen on local, four-lane, undivided streets.
Just 6% of Houston’s streets account for 60% of Houston’s traffic deaths and serious injuries.

We’re working together with disability advocates, law enforcement and first responders. Our partners are:

City of Houston Planning and Development
Harris County Engineering
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Houston Health Department
Houston Police Department
Houston Public Works
Mayor’s Office
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Texas Department of Transportation

To prioritize safety and accessibility in street design for people of all ages and abilities, the plan is to:

Study the data
Identify problem areas and behaviors that may contribute to the most common causes of accidents
Evaluate everything from road and sidewalk design to bike lanes and dangerous intersections

Measurable actions will then be taken to: