METRONow

MPD expanded law enforcement presence across the METRO system through partnerships with the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Harris County Constable’s Office.

METRO installed fencing at select transit centers where additional security measures were needed. Pictured here is Wheeler Transit Center.

METRO also installed additional lighting at select transit centers to improve visibility at night.

Satellite stations at Wheeler Transit Center and Northline Transit Center further increased onsite officer presence.

In April 2026, MPD opened a 24/7 substation on Harrisburg Boulevard near the METRORail Green Line, providing a consistent officer presence in the area.

A new interpretation device was introduced in May 2026 to help MPD officers and dispatchers communicate with the public in more than 140 languages.

In June 2026, MPD opened a substation connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center to support crowd management in the busy downtown area and keep traffic and transit moving safely.

Since June 2026, at TMC Transit Center, MPD has provided 24/7 street-level security and monitored activity in the plaza area, escalators, elevators and pedestrian bridge using dozens of surveillance cameras.

In September 2026, MPD established the Bus Safety Initiative that places officers on METRO Local Bus routes.

To support safety operations across the system, MPD introduced a Strategic Command Mobile Operations Center staffed by officers and equipped with advanced crime-fighting technology.

METRO upgraded more than 80,000 linear feet of sidewalks and ramps across its network to improve pedestrian access to transit.

At nearly 300 BOOST bus shelters, tactile warning strips were installed to help visually impaired riders detect sidewalk or curb edges.

METRO upgraded more than 5,500 bus stops to meet or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements.

METRO invested $17 million in improvements at the Texas Medical Center Transit Center, which serves more than 10,000 riders every weekday. 

The pedestrian skybridge reopened in May 2026 following structural repairs, new paint and new flooring.

Four new escalators provide access to the pedestrian walkway.

Four new elevators also provide access to the pedestrian walkway.

Around the transit center, new and improved pedestrian walkways have made it easier for riders to safely reach the facility.

METRO continues to invest millions of dollars in roadway improvements throughout its service area. The following photos highlight several completed projects.

West Gray: Montrose Boulevard to Shepherd Drive | 4.39 lane miles repaired | Completed April 2026

West Holcombe Boulevard: Fannin Street to Mercer Street | 10.4 lane miles repaired | Completed May 2026

North Braeswood Boulevard: Aberdeen Way to Main Street | 3.3 lane miles repaired | Completed May 2026

John F. Kennedy Boulevard: Sam Houston Parkway to Greens Road | 7.16 lane miles repaired | Completed May 2026.

Cambridge Street: Main Street to Hermann Park Drive | 2.7 lane miles repaired | Completed September 2026.

Yale Street: Interstate 610 to East 36th Street | 4 lane miles repaired | Completed September 2026

Bellfort Avenue: Martin Luther King Boulevard to Interstate 45 South | 17.2 lane miles repaired | Completed October 2026

Beyond the corridors pictured here, METRO completed additional roadway repairs throughout its service area, bringing the total to more than 180 lane miles as of October 2026.

As part of the METRONow plan, METRO introduced Community Connector service in five zones, creating reliable access to transit.

The service began in 2023 with the launch of the 455 Third Ward zone.

Later that year, Community Connector expanded to the Second Ward with the introduction of the 454 Second Ward zone.

In December 2024, the 451 Downtown zone brought Community Connector service to Downtown Houston.

The service continued to grow in April 2025 with the launch of the 452 Heights zone.

In June 2025, the 453 Near Northside zone became the fifth Community Connector zone.

The METRONow plan also expanded METRO curb2curb service to three new zones.

The 329 Sunnyside zone launched in January 2025.

That same month, the 377 Kashmere / Maxey Road zone was launched.

The expansion continued in August 2026 with the launch of the 347 Gulfton zone.

The 500 Downtown Direct provides nonstop service between Downtown Houston and Bush (IAH) or Hobby (HOU) airports for just $4.50 one way.

Onboard amenities include high-back reclining seats, individual reading lights and climate controls, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, overhead bins and storage compartments for larger items such as luggage.

One of four downtown stops is the Avenida North Garage at the George R. Brown Convention Center, providing convenient access to nearby hotels and the convention center for riders traveling to or from either airport.

Two additional downtown stops near Rusk Street and Dallas Street are within walking distance of several hotels.

The bus also stops at the Downtown Transit Center, offering convenient access to the METRORail Red Line, Community Connector and more than 40 other METRO bus routes.

At Bush Airport, riders are picked up or dropped off at Terminal E, Level 2 (outside door E201).

At Hobby Airport, riders are picked up or dropped off at the Hobby Transit Center, just north of the baggage claim doors.

The 500 Downtown Direct provides nonstop service between Downtown Houston and Bush (IAH) or Hobby (HOU) airports for just $4.50 one way.

Onboard amenities include high-back reclining seats, individual reading lights and climate controls, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, overhead bins and storage compartments for larger items such as luggage.

One of four downtown stops is the Avenida North Garage at the George R. Brown Convention Center, providing convenient access to nearby hotels and the convention center for riders traveling to or from either airport.

Two additional downtown stops near Rusk Street and Dallas Street are within walking distance of several hotels.

The bus also stops at the Downtown Transit Center, offering convenient access to the METRORail Red Line, Community Connector and more than 40 other METRO bus routes.

At Bush Airport, riders are picked up or dropped off at Terminal E, Level 2 (outside door E201).

At Hobby Airport, riders are picked up or dropped off at the Hobby Transit Center, just north of the baggage claim doors.

METRO increased cleaning frequency on METRORail vehicles.

At select bus stops, cleaning increased from three to five days per week, with daily cleaning at high-volume locations across the system.

METRO purchased eight street sweepers to keep rail corridors, bus routes and 50 transit facilities well maintained throughout the region.

METRO also installed more than 1,400 new bus shelters and repaired more than 1,000 existing shelters to provide safe, accessible waiting areas for riders.

The Missouri City Park & Ride opened in January 2025, providing more than 1,700 covered parking spaces and service to the Texas Medical Center.

METRO upgraded its bus fleet with modern compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that reduce emissions and provide a more comfortable ride.

In 2026, METRO rebranded its rideshare app to METRO On Demand, allowing customers to book rides on METROLift, METRO curb2curb and Community Connector.