METROLift

This ADA accessible, shared-ride paratransit service is available for prequalified customers. It operates in most of Harris County including portions of Kingwood, Humble and Clear Lake.

All other METRO-owned transit vehicles are also ADA accessible. So, if possible, we encourage people with disabilities to ride METRO bus, light rail, METRORapid and/or METRO curb2curb. If you're already a METROLift customer, you can ride those services for free with up to one assistant.

Accessible vehicles Accessible Vehicles
wifi   Free Wi-Fi

METROLift rider in a wheelchair on electric lift boarding a METROLift vehicle

Plan your trip

MACS-WEB Online Trip Planner

METROLift customer ID and password required

Get Started


If you're new to the online trip planner, you can watch an instructional video:

 View in English
 View en Español

Explore the METROLift service area in our Interactive System Map.

About METROLift

If you're looking to become a METROLift customer, please review each of the four sections below to determine if METROLift is right for you.  

Stay updated by subscribing to the METROLift Newsletter.


Travel trainers showing how to use a bus ramp.

Travel Training

All METRO-owned transit vehicles are accessible and we can train you on how to ride them.

Point of view photo of a rider in a wheelchair on an electric lift about to board a METROLift van.

Eligibility

There are certain criteria you need to meet in order to become a METROLift customer.

Attendant assists visually impaired customer into METROLift minivan vehicle

How to Apply

If you're eligible to become a customer, you need to go though an application process.

Passenger in wheelchair being secured by attendant inside METROLift van

Riding METROLift

How the service works, hours of operation and information on scheduling a trip

Service Area Maps

METROLift serves a large portion of the METRO overall service area. You can view service area maps by selecting from the tabs below.


In the map below:

Dark gray represents the METRO Service Area, covering most of Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County.

METRO Service Area Map

In the map below:

Blue represents the ADA-required METROLift Service Area, covering a large portion of Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County. This encompasses areas within 3/4 mile of bus and rail routes.

Gray represents the non-ADA required METROLift Extended Service Area, including locations:

  • In Northwest Houston
  • Around Hobby Airport
  • South of Missouri City
  • In and around Kingwood and Humble
  • In and around Clear Lake


Some of these areas are beyond the 3/4 mile requirement.

METROLift Service Area Map

METROLift Tickets

If you're a METROLift customer, a METROLift ticket or pass must be used to pay your fare for each one-way trip. Tickets and passes come in various quantities depending on where you plan to ride, and how often.

METROLift one-way trip ticket

One-Way Trip Ticket

Offers one-way service within the METROLift service area.

Where are you able to travel?

A one-way trip ticket for $1.25 allows you to travel anywhere in METROLift’s base service area which covers most of Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County.


Two one-way trip tickets (total of $2.50) allow you to travel anywhere in METROLift’s extended service area including locations:

  • In Northwest Houston
  • Around Hobby Airport
  • South of Missouri City
  • In and around Kingwood and Humble
  • In and around Clear Lake
Where can you buy it?

You can also order one-way trip tickets through the mail. Please enclose your ticket request, a check or money order and your return address, and mail it to:

METRO Customer Service
P.O. Box 61429
Houston, Texas 77208-1429

Once we receive your request and payment, we’ll mail your tickets to you.

How can you pay for it?

Using MACS-WEB online trip planner:

  • Credit card
  • Debit card


Through METRO Online RideStore:

  • Credit card


At METRO RideStore locations:

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit card
  • Debit card

For participating retail locations, payment options vary by location.

METROLift 11 one-way ticket book

10-Ticket Sheet + 1

A sheet of 10 one-way trip tickets, plus a free one-way trip ticket, for a total of 11.

Where are you able to travel?

A one-way trip ticket for $1.25 allows you to travel anywhere in METROLift’s base service area which covers most of Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County.


Two one-way trip tickets (total of $2.50) allow you to travel anywhere in METROLift’s extended service area including locations:

  • In Northwest Houston
  • Around Hobby Airport
  • South of Missouri City
  • In and around Kingwood and Humble
  • In and around Clear Lake
Where can you buy it?

You can also order one-way trip tickets through the mail. Please enclose your ticket request, a check or money order and your return address, and mail it to:

METRO Customer Service
P.O. Box 61429
Houston, Texas 77208-1429

Once we receive your request and payment, we’ll mail your tickets to you.

How can you pay for it?

Using MACS-WEB online trip planner:

  • Credit card
  • Debit card


Through METRO Online RideStore:

  • Credit card


At METRO RideStore locations:

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit card
  • Debit card

For participating retail locations, payment options vary by location.

METROLift Monthly Pass

Monthly Pass

Offers unlimited rides on METROLift for an entire month.

Where are you able to travel?

Anywhere in METROLift’s base service area which covers most of Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County.

 

    Where can you buy it?

    You can also order a monthly pass through the mail. Please enclose a check or money order and your return address, and mail it to:

    METRO Customer Service
    P.O. Box 61429
    Houston, Texas 77208-1429

    Once we receive your request and payment, we’ll mail your pass to you.

    How can you pay for it?

    Using MACS-WEB online trip planner:

    • Credit card
    • Debit card


    Through METRO Online RideStore:

    • Credit card


    At METRO RideStore locations:

    • Cash
    • Check
    • Credit card
    • Debit card

    For participating retail locations, payment options vary by location.

    METROLift annual pass

    Annual Pass

    Offers unlimited rides on METROLift for an entire year from date of purchase.

    Where are you able to travel?

    Anywhere in METROLift’s base service area which covers most of Harris County and portions of Fort Bend County.

    Where can you buy it?

    The following METRO RideStore locations:

    • Downtown Transit Center - 1900 Main St.
    • Main Street Square - 1001 Travis St.
    • Northwest Transit Center - 7373 Old Katy Road


    You can also order an annual pass through the mail. Please enclose a check or money order and your return address, and mail it to:

    METRO Customer Service
    P.O. Box 61429
    Houston, Texas 77208-1429

    Once we receive your request and payment, we’ll mail your tickets to you.

      How can you pay for it?

      At METRO RideStore locations:

      • Cash
      • Check
      • Credit card
      • Debit card


      By U.S. Mail:

      • Check
      •  Money order
      metro q fare card

      METRO Freedom Q® Card

      Entitles METROLift customers to ride all METRO bus, rail, METRORapid and METRO curb2curb services for free. Up to one attendant may also ride along at no cost.

      Does the card allow you to ride METROLift for free?

      Under either of the following conditions:

      1. Your trip includes a transfer to another accessible METRO service along the way. Transfers to bus, rail, and METRORapid are available at various METRO facilities including transit centers and Park & Ride lots.

      2. You’re called for jury duty. This makes you eligible for a complimentary one-way trip on the original date of the summons. If you aren’t selected for jury duty, you may ask the court for a METRO jury pass for your trip home.

      Where can you obtain a card?

      METROLift paratransit customers automatically receive this card in their welcome packets. If a replacement card is required, it can be obtained for a fee of $10 and picked up at this METRO RideStore location:

      Downtown Transit Center
      1900 Main St.
      Houston, Texas 77002

      Hours: Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
      Phone: 713-739-6968

      How do you use the card?

      Tap your card on the fare validator as you board a bus or METRO curb2curb shuttle. If you’re riding METRORail or METRORapid, tap it on the fare validator located on the platform.

      If you prefer to go contactless, you can wave your card close to the validator as well.

      Make sure the light registers green in the upper right when you tap or wave.

      Retail Locations

      There are more than 200 retailers across the Houston region where you can obtain or reload a METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass. Many of these retailers also sell tickets and passes for METROLift. Just enter your ZIP code below to find stores near you. Each entry will show what you can obtain at that location. Save some time by calling ahead to confirm fare item availability, before driving to the location.

      Find Your Store

      Contact Information


      ServicePhone Numbers
      METROLift Customer Service - general METROLift questions713-225-0119
      713-652-8969 (TTY)
      METROLift Dispatch - trip status verification, rides, cancelations and more (available 23 hours / 7 days a week)713-225-0410
      Feeder Service - for travel between your pickup location and the nearest METRO transit facility (daily, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.)713-615-6241
      METROLift Scheduling - automated phone system (Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.)713-739-4690
      METROLift Scheduling - live agent (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)713-225-6716
      Travel Training - to help you ride other transit services713-750-4234
      Customer Service - call or text for general questions about METRO713-635-4000
      713-635-6993 (TTY)
      Emergency911
      Lost & Found713-658-0854
      METRO Police Dispatch - call or text713-224-COPS (2677)

       

      Community Meetings

      Throughout the year, we host in-person community meetings where you can learn more about METRO and METROLift, and share your input about the future of METRO services. If there are no current listings, please check back here soon. We look forward to meeting you!


      Dec.
      19

      METROLift Community Meeting - December 2024

      Meeting will be held at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center.

      Common Questions

      Eligibility

      If you’re a person with a disability, you’re eligible to become a METROLift customer if you meet at least one of these criteria:

      • Your disability prevents you from walking or rolling to a bus stop without assistance.
      • You require assistance to board, navigate, ride or disembark from one or more of METRO’s other accessible services.
      • You can use one of the other METRO accessible services but there are physical obstacles on your path which prevent you from doing so.

      Eligibility decisions are based upon information provided by healthcare professionals and your functional abilities to navigate the fixed-route bus and rail system in accordance with the ADA.

      Eligible riders’ certification will be classified as permanent, standard, or temporary.

      Riders classified as standard or temporary will be notified by letter to reapply for services 60 days prior to the end of their eligibility period.

      You must apply and do an in-person interview. You’ll then receive a final decision regarding your eligibility in writing within 21 days.

      For more information, including how to apply, visit the METROLift page.

      Fares

      In the base service area, METROLift fares are just $1.25 for a one-way trip ($2.50 round trip). In the extended service area, the fare is $2.50 for a one-way trip ($5 round trip). If either your origin or destination (or both) are outside the base service area, the cost is $2.50 for a one-way trip ($5 for a round trip),

      The base service area covers most of Harris County.

      The extended service area includes locations:

      • In Northwest Houston
      • Around Hobby Airport
      • South of Missouri City
      • In and around Kingwood
      • In and around Humble
      • In and around Clear Lake

      If you're not sure which area your origin or destination point is in, and need to calculate your fare, view the METROLift service area on our Interactive System Map.

      If you make your reservation over the phone, you’ll need to:

      • Hand the driver a ticket or show them your monthly or annual pass
      • Show the driver your photo ID or METRO Freedom Q® Card

      If you make your reservation online, your account will immediately be debited and the driver will be notified. So you won’t have to hand the driver a ticket or pass. You’ll only need to show them your photo ID or METRO Freedom Q® Card.

      All METROLift customers automatically receive a METRO Freedom Q® Card when their eligibility is initially certified.

      Yes, when either of the following takes place:

      • Your trip includes a transfer to another accessible METRO service
      • You’re called for jury duty

      Scheduling a Trip

      There are three ways you can schedule a trip on METROLift:

      • Log in and set up an account on our MACS-WEB online trip planner. You can then schedule your trips Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.
      • Call our automated phone system (Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 713-739-4690. You’ll need to have your METROLift ID number and password.
      • Speak to a live agent by calling (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 713-225-6716


      There are also three ways you can confirm or cancel your trip on METROLift:

      • Log in to our MACS-WEB online trip planner. You can confirm or cancel trips any time of the day.
      • Call our automated phone system at 713-739-4690. You can confirm or cancel trips any time of the day. You’ll need to have your METROLift ID number and password.
      • Speak to a live agent by calling METROLift Dispatch at 713-225-0410. You can confirm or cancel trips any time of the day.


      For more information, visit the METROLift page.

      On Fridays, a live agent can schedule trips for Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

      In all other instances and with all other methods, trips must be scheduled the day before travel.

      The time windows during which trips can be scheduled vary depending on the method you use:

      • MACS-WEB online trip planner Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.
      • Automated phone system (Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.- 5 p.m.) at 713-739-4690
      • Live agent (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 713-225-6716

      If something comes up and you need to schedule a trip on the same day, you can call METROLift at 713-652-8015.

      You can book trips up to four miles one way.

      Trips in the base service area: require one one-way trip ticket each way ($2.50 round trip)

      Trips in the extended service area: require two one-way trip tickets each way ($5 round trip)

      Our goal is to serve trips within one hour of your request.

      Each trip is subject to availability.

      When booking your trip, you'll be given a requested time with a plus or minus 20-minute scheduling window. If the scheduling window does not meet your needs, you may negotiate a new scheduling window of one hour before or after your requested time.

      In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), travel times and the timeliness of service are comparable to METRO local bus service.

      Riding METROLift

      You can access an online copy of the METROLift program guide here or request a printed copy by calling METROLift Customer Service (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 713-225-0119.

      An ADA-accessible minibus (pictured first), an ADA-accessible minivan (pictured second) or an ADA-accessible low-floor minibus (pictured third). Each can accommodate a variety of mobility devices including wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. Customers may not request specific vehicle types.

      METROLift attendant assisting customer in wheelchair on lift of METROLift minibus METROLift attendant assisting customer in wheelchair out of the back of a METROLift minivan METROLift low-floor minibus

      Although you don’t get to choose which vehicle will pick you up, the size of your mobility equipment could determine vehicle type.

      Service animal

      Yes. You’re allowed to travel with a service animal.

      Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, and must be kept under the handler’s control.

      Non-service animals (including emotional support animals)

      Yes. You’re allowed to travel with non-service animals (pets) on METRO vehicles, but they must be transported and properly restrained in an animal carrier at all times.

      See More Questions

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