METRO Solution History

In development since 2001, METRO Solutions is a comprehensive transit system plan to help solve the Greater Houston region's traffic congestion and air quality problems. The plan was crafted with extensive input from the public, METRO's regional transportation partners and mobility experts nationwide. The plan was adopted by the METRO Board of Directors in July 2003 and approved by voters in November 2003.

The plan calls for major multimodal transit improvements across the region and extends through 2014 the General Mobility Program, which sets aside one-quarter of METRO's one cent sales tax revenue for mobility projects in Harris County, the City of Houston and the Multi-Cities. In addition, voters granted METRO the authority to issue up to $640 million in bonds to fund the next phase of projects.

In June 2005, METRO announced its $2 billion Phase 2 Implementation Plan to provide more rapid transit for the Houston region in less time than originally proposed under METRO Solutions. Key components of the Implementation Plan include:

• Nearly 30 miles of Light Rail Transit - In the North, East End, Southeast, Uptown and University Lines;
• 28 Miles of Commuter Rail Transit (CRT) - along U.S. 290 from Cypress Park & Ride and along U.S. 90A from Missouri City to Fannin South Park & Ride/Rail Station;
• 40 Miles of Signature Bus Service/Suburban Bus Rapid Transit - Southeast Transit Center to Texas Medical Center, Uptown to U.S. 90A CRT line, Gessner and Texas 249/Tidwell;
• 10 New Transit Facilities - Intermodal Facilities serving different transit modes (Commuter Rail, Light Rail, buses, etc.), Transit Centers and Park & Ride lots; and
• HOV/HOT Conversion - modify one-way, reversible High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to two-way High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes.

Learn more about the scope of METRO Solutions program.