Your Safety

Your safety is our No. 1 priority. That's why we invest in people, equipment, technology and educational campaigns to help protect your personal safety and health when riding METRO. We also promote motorist, pedestrian and cyclist safety around METRO vehicles. We’re a gold award recipient for bus safety and security and have received a grant to increase awareness of rail safety through education projects and campaigns.

Operation Lifesaver  

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.

Local bus

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

Train

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.

METRO Rider with back pack crossing tracks at rail crosswalk on a scooter.

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

Pedestrian

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.

Woman walking in front of METRO bus

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.

Bike

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 safebe 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 icon

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 vehicle driving along the METRORail tracks as train runs behind it.

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 directing traffic during a major event.

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.

Rider Tools

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

Plan Your Trip

Travel Preference

System Map

Explore METRO transit services near you

Questions and Answers

Valuable information to help you ride

Savings Calculator

Compare your cost of driving vs. what it would cost to ride METRO - and see how much money you'd save each month.

link to the Apple app store to download the RideMETRO app

RideMETRO App

Plan and manage your trip on METRO Local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail or METRORapid using an interactive map.

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