1. The Public Has Asked for Improvements
In 2011, METRO completed Phase I for the METROVision, METRO’s Long Range Plan to obtain community input on the future for transit in the region. To collect input, five focus groups and 27 public meetings took place over a fivemonth time period.
Common themes from the public input included support for mass transit in Houston, specifically rail service that connects to existing services, and support for expanded transit service. The area inside the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) was cited as the area in need of transit services the most. Additionally, a growing concern expressed during the public meetings was the need for transit services designed to meet the needs of Houston’s senior citizen community. In all, improving the METRO bus system was the area where the majority of public feedback was focused.
This feedback was valuable to help METRO continue to improve its overall service including reimplementation of a Day Pass fare, and strategic planning projects around METROLift and improving bicyclist access to transit. System Reimagining is the most direct response to the METROVision feedback. System Reimagining develops the plan to most effectively utilize METRO’s resources to provide the community with the improved transit system they have requested.