METRO HIGHLIGHTS

METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY 713.635.4000 | RIDEMETRO.ORG OF HARRIS COUNTY, METRO Wants Your Input

METRO is serious about wanting to know what you think. — visit METRONext.org. METRO VISION

Through collaborative relations and innovative approaches, METRO will be an industry leader in delivering timely, efficient and accessible service that is transformative by providing multi-modal interactions for communities to connect to everyday work and life opportunities.

METRO MISSION

METRO’s mission is to provide safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly public transportation services to our region.

September 2018 Edition ABOUT METRO LOCAL SERVICE PARK & RIDE AND HOV/HOT LANES

More than 80 regular local bus routes in the 27 Park & Ride facilities allow suburban commuters Find out who we are, what we do, how we are METRO service area, as well as bus service tailored to enjoy express service to employment centers on funded, and our plans for the future of to specific communities, make it easy to get High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. -area transportation. (Pages 5-17) around town or connect with other METRO (Pages 28-31) transportation services. (Pages 18-27)

METRO

SERVICES METRORAIL METRO STAR VANPOOL ACCESSIBILITY & METROLIFT AT A GLANCE Three light-rail lines provide a fun and convenient Vanpools of five to 15 riders safely and comfortably All METRO vehicles are 100 percent accessible. For way to visit many of Houston’s major attractions, members to and from workplaces disabled riders who cannot access regular service workplaces, medical facilities, and universities. in an eight-county area. stops or vehicles, METROLift provides (Pages 32-35) (Pages 36-37) curb-to-curb service. (Pages 38-41)

SAFETY, SECURITY & DISASTER RESPONSE MAJOR EVENTS WHAT’S NEXT

METRO’s police patrol the service area, The future is coming! With the help of all partner with TranStar to coordinate day-to-day METRO is essential in helping Houston host major stakeholders, METRO explores innovative incident and accident management, and help events, making bigger and safer attendance solutions for a new regional transit plan. manage regional emergency response. possible. (Pages 50-51) (Pages 52-56) (Pages 42-49) LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR

It’s funny how often people ask me what, exactly, METRO does. Sometimes they are genuinely bewildered. Sometimes they are expressing skepticism about the willingness of Houston to embrace mass transit. I’m actually glad when this happens because it gives me a chance to tell people a story that many of them do not know; a story about the extent to which the Houston region has expanded, improved, innovated and completely redesigned its mass transit system. In fact, METRO has made such dramatic and successful improvements over the last few years that 28 other cities, from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, have sent their transit designers here to see what they can learn from us. Once viewed as simply a necessary municipal service, mass transit is now considered an essential amenity without which no major city can compete or prosper. It’s a subject of global study and the confluence of the most cutting-edge developments in science, technology, engineering, sustainability, and energy. And as we learned during Hurricane Harvey, METRO is also critical to the first-response network with vehicles, drivers, police, and call centers capable of rapid deployment during an emergency. Mass transit connects employees to jobs, students to education, families to health care, residents to museums and theaters, and sports fans to stadiums. If you’re a business on a bus or rail line, mass transit literally brings customers to your door. Stated simply, mass transit connects people, businesses, and cities to their futures. It’s been clear for a long time that every dollar spent on mass transit is a dollar wisely invested. Houston-area growth is a gift, but it’s a gift we cannot take for granted. It requires that the region be responsive to the changing needs and preferences of the people who live and work here. METRO has been listening and learning, developing a new regional transit plan to build on past successes and keep people and traffic moving. It’s called METRONext, and I invite you to read about it in these pages. Also read about “The Reimagining” of our area bus system, the Heroes of Harvey and, while we have your attention, take a look at our awards and financials. We think you’ll be impressed. What does METRO do? It keeps people moving further, faster, and more efficiently every single day. Sincerely,

CARRIN F. PATMAN Chair, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas 5 LETTER FROM OUR CEO

From bus operators to accountants, METRO employees work every day to create a public transportation system worthy of our community. We take pride in driving our neighbors to doctor’s appointments, students to school and our diverse workforce to jobs throughout the region. We are customer-focused and community-driven. In the past year, METRO employees accomplished some truly remarkable milestones. We carried a record-breaking number of people to Super Bowl LI events, working around the clock to ensure customers from home and from around the world were delivered safely to their destinations. We also broke ridership records transporting fans to the Astros’ World Series victory parade. When a national spotlight shined on the Houston region, METRO demonstrated what a great regional transportation system is capable of doing. And when disaster struck during Hurricane Harvey, METRO moved into action, providing lifesaving and essential services to a stunned region. We harnessed the knowledge and best practices of how to keep a region moving, and leveraged our fleet to move people out of harm’s way. The “Houston Strong” catchphrase only scratched the surface — our employees showed what true community service looks like. We aren’t done yet. We’re looking at every aspect of the customer experience, your experience, to make public transit even better. METRO is investing in infrastructure like bus shelters and sidewalks to improve not only our customers’ experience, but to improve the communities where we operate. We’re enhancing safety features by using the latest Bluetooth technology to launch a pilot program to alert pedestrians of a METRORail train entering an intersection. We continue to look outside the world of public transit to partner with our local universities and area transportation partners to design service that meets the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s riders. Every day METRO employees go to work for you. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to pursue our passion for public service. Sincerely,

THOMAS C. LAMBERT President & CEO, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas

6 CHAPTER ?: Chapter Title 7 METRO METRO BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

CARRIN F. PATMAN (City of Houston) Chair

JIM ROBINSON CINDY SIEGEL TROI TAYLOR (Harris County) (Multi-Cities) (City of Houston) First Vice-Chair Second Vice-Chair Secretary

TOP ROW: Sofia Simien, Jerome Gray, John Garcia, Thomas J. Jasien, Cydonii Fairfax, Roberto Treviño, Arthur C. Smiley III, Kimberly Williams, Alva I. Treviño BOTTOM ROW: Rosa Diaz, Thomas C. Lambert, Debbie Sechler, Timothy H. Kelly

THOMAS C. LAMBERT TIMOTHY H. KELLY President & Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President, Operations, Public Safety & Customer Service THOMAS J. JASIEN DON ELDER JR. LEX FRIEDEN LISA GONZALES Deputy CEO DEBBIE SECHLER (Multi-Cities) (City of Houston) CASTAÑEDA Executive Vice President, Administration (Harris County) ROSA DIAZ Director, Board Support ARTHUR C. SMILEY III Chief Financial Officer CYDONII FAIRFAX Executive Vice President & ALVA I. TREVIÑO General Counsel Executive Vice President, Special Projects

JOHN GARCIA ROBERTO TREVIÑO Interim Vice President & Chief Auditor Executive Vice President, Planning, Engineering & Construction JEROME GRAY TERRY MORALES SANJAY RAMABHADRAN (RAM) Executive Vice President & KIMBERLY WILLIAMS (City of Houston) (City of Houston) Chief Communications Officer Chief Innovation Officer

EXECUTIVE OFFICE STAFF

METRO’s board includes five members appointed by the City of Houston, SOFIA SIMIEN two appointed by Harris County, and two appointed by the smaller cities Executive Assistant to the President (known as Multi-Cities) in the METRO service area. NICOLE STUTTZ* Project Manager for the Executive Office 8 *Not pictured 9 ABOUT Nearly one-third of downtown’s employees METRO rely on METRO to get to work every day. AT METRO, WE MOVE PEOPLE

Public transportation is the backbone of our region — moving people to jobs, health care, education, recreation, and all of the opportunities our region offers. You know METRO for our and , but we are so much more. We are an extensive transit network combining different types of service tailored to varying needs. 38.7 percent of METRORail riders are taking it to or from work. We serve the region’s major employment centers and our neighborhoods, and we are a vital partner in welcoming visitors, promoting safety, and helping with natural disasters.

In 2017, METRO provided about 113 MILLION rides!

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT METRO

“METRO’s dynamic transit system is essential “METRO has an excellent transit system. It to Houston’s ability to get the job done. provides safe, efficient, reliable, cost-effective Moving Houstonians to and from work, service to stakeholders in and around no matter where they are in the region, is Houston and the 14 municipalities in the essential to the upward mobility of our people service area.” and ultimately, Houston’s success as a great global city.” State of Texas Quadrennial Performance Audit performed by Milligan & Company, Fiscal Years Bob Harvey, President and CEO, 2012–2015 Partnership (GHP) 10 11 PUBLIC TRANSIT IS A SOUND INVESTMENT: THE CASE IS MADE THE GEOGRAPHY

METRO has proven itself — not only as an Our service area covers more than 1,303 award-winning transit agency, but also as an square miles. economic multiplier for the entire region.

• Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns. • Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and According to the American Public creates more than 50,000 jobs. Transportation Association, 87 percent of • Every $10 million in capital public transit trips impact the economy. investment in public transportation yields $32 million Transit also enhances property values. A in increased business sales. Harris County Appraisal District three-year comparative study of property values within a • Using public transportation one-mile radius of METRO rail lines reflected a THE FORECAST THE PLAN can save you as much as 31 percent increase in value, from $58 billion to $10,000 a year. $76.3 billion. By 2040, the number of jobs in the Houston- American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Thus, high-capacity transit — bus , Galveston Area Council eight-county region enhanced HOV lanes, various types of rail where will increase to 4.47 million, a 63 percent appropriate, and all other feasible options for increase since 2010. moving large numbers of people – is a sensible, Transit accessibility is one of the most comparatively cost-effective, and in fact, critical Expanding our affordable, fast, and efficient influential factors when choosing a part of our region’s future. transit system is key to continued economic neighborhood, according to the National success. Association of Realtors. METRO is working on a new regional transit plan to keep the Houston 113 MILLION RIDES IN 2017 AND COUNTING area moving. That plan is called METRONext, designed to build upon the successes of the 2003 METRO Solutions Referendum. BUS 58.2 MILLION The plan will reflect what all studies RAIL 18.4 MILLION and surveys have shown: Houston-area residents, PARK & RIDE 7.7 MILLION whether they live in the urban 1.9 MILLION How do we know? This handy pair of eyes is an core, a city neighborhood, Automatic Passenger Counter (A.P.C.), which is or a suburb, want fast, located above the doorways of METRO buses and efficient, affordable mass VANPOOL 2 MILLION rail. This technology allows us to count the number of passengers who ride with us. Humans conduct transportation. HOV/HOT 25.4 MILLION manual samples a minimum of 50 times per year to ensure counts are accurate.

12 13 ABOUT METRO WE ARE AN AWARD-WINNING TRANSIT SYSTEM CREATION, FUNDING, AND GOVERNANCE

In 1973, the Texas State Legislature authorized METRO has a nine-member board of directors localities to create separate transit comprised of five members appointed by the City authorities. In 1978, Houston-area voters of Houston, two appointed by Harris County, and created METRO, approving a one-cent sales two appointed by the smaller cities (called the tax for its funding. METRO opened for business “Multi-Cities”), which include: in 1979. In 2015, METRO was named Transit selected METRO as the 2017 Outstanding Agency of the Year by the American Public Metropolitan Transit System and in 2018, the In the years since, METRO has built an award- Transportation Association (APTA), an U.S. Department of Transportation selected winning, state-of-the-art transit system • Bellaire • Missouri City international organization that has been METRO as the Region Six Transit System of the serving 1,303 square miles — including the City • Bunker Hill • Piney Point representing the transit industry for more than Year. METRO also received the 2018 APTA Bus of Houston, much of unincorporated Harris Village Village 100 years. The Texas Transit Association (TTA) Safety & Security award. County, and fourteen smaller cities — and using multiple types of transit that work together to • El Lago • Southside Place take people where they need to go. • Hedwig Village • Spring Valley Village METRO’s current budget is funded primarily • Hilshire Village METRO MAKES EVERY TAXPAYER PENNY GO A LONG WAY • Taylor Lake by sales tax revenue, with lesser amounts • Humble funded by box revenues and grants. One- Village METRO’s one-cent sales tax A 25 percent rebate goes to the city • Hunters Creek fourth of METRO’s sales tax revenue is rebated • West University funding has made us a formidable of Houston, Harris County, and the Village to the City of Houston, Harris County, and the 14 Place people-moving machine. But Multi-Cities for their own mobility- smaller cities for their own discretionary mobility • Katy transportation isn’t just about buses related projects. This rebate, known projects like roads and traffic signals. and trains. It’s also about infrastructure that as the General Mobility Program (GMP), so far promotes safe and reliable access. has rebated more than $3.2 billion in funds for bridges, sidewalks, bike trails, and drainage, in addition to roads and traffic signals. METRO GROWS UP AND KEEPS GROWING — 3.5 BILLION RIDES IN THE PAST 40 YEARS GMP projects like sidewalks and signals make access easier and safer by keeping pedestrians and waiting passengers safely separated from traffic.

14 15 HOW METRO IS FUNDED METRO IS A FINANCIALLY FY2019 Budget FY2019 Sources of Revenue PRUDENT AND TRANSPARENT STEWARD OF TAXPAYER FUNDS $1,196.4 $1,363.8 (in millions) (in millions) Our FY2019 budget of approximately $1 billion Comptroller’s office (which has included METRO is comprised of the following categories: in its Leadership Circle), the Texas Public Interest $626.2 million in operating expenses; $286.0 Research Group (which gave METRO an “A” million in capital expenditures; $180.0 million grade for spending transparency), and Milligan to the city of Houston, Harris County and the & Company (which found in its three-year smaller cities for their specific mobility needs; performance audit that METRO is an excellent Operating $626.2 Sales Tax Fund $754.7 and $104.2 million in debt service. transit system). Debt Service $104.2 Balance $256.9 We use conservative assumptions in our Rating agencies concur, giving METRO bond Capital $286.0 Other $17.5 budgeting and maintain prudent reserves. ratings of AA+ (Standard and Poor’s) and Aa2 GMP Transfer $180.0 Borrowing $97.7 (Moody’s), and categorizing METRO’s ratings Farebox $67.5 METRO’s sound financial management as “stable.” After Hurricane Harvey, Moody’s Grants $169.5 and transparency have been recognized observed: “The transit authority’s ability to repeatedly, including by the Government quickly resume service and assist with recovery Finance Officers Association (which has efforts highlights its strong operational practices.” given METRO a Certificate of Achievement for FINANCIALS, CHECKBOOK, AND ALL BOARD MEETINGS Excellence in Financial Reporting), the Texas ARE POSTED ONLINE

YOU’RE INVITED TO ATTEND OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY MEETINGS Government Finance Texas Comptroller Texas Public Interest Officers Association Leadership Circle Research Group WHEN: Typically the fourth ursday of each month at 10 a.m. METRO recognized for METRO recognized for METRO receives “A” for WHERE: e Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Excellence in Financial sound financial practices, spending transparency nd Building at 1900 Main on the 2 oor Reporting openness, and transparency

RSVP: If you cannot join us in person, please attend by streaming video from our website RideMETRO.org

MORE INFO: Online, visit RideMETRO.org, see Board Meetings & Notices or call 713.739.4834. Working committee meetings are also posted online and open to the public.

Moody’s Standard & Poor’s Texas Comptroller Transparency Star

Aa2 rating AA+ rating METRO receives honors for transparency in traditional finances and debt obligations 16 17 METRO METRO is bike-friendly — load your bike onto a bus SERVICE bike rack, on a rail , or into a Park & Ride bus baggage LOCAL BUS NETWORK compartment.

METRO’s bus service is the heart of our As a result, local bus ridership has increased, system, with 114 fixed routes, 8,964 stops, 2,143 defying national trends. 28 cities in the United shelters, 21 Transit Centers (sheltered waiting States and abroad are now reimagining their areas where multiple bus and/or rail routes own bus systems using METRO’s process as a converge), and 58.2 million rides in 2017. model. In 2015, METRO “reimagined” its entire METRO also uses smaller vehicles and fixed–route network from scratch to ensure customized service tailored to specific that it was providing optimal service in light of communities or route needs. For example, changes in population, job centers, and other METRO provides Community Connector service factors, and meeting current riders’ needs. The in certain neighborhoods with unique transit redesign increased the number of routes offering needs and Signature Service that frequent service (a bus coming every 15 minutes offers expedited bus service to the Texas Medical or better), provided weekend service on all local Center along the popular 2 Bellaire route. METRO routes, connected bus routes with new rail lines, also operates the free Greenlink circulator buses and adopted a more efficient grid-based system. that move people among 18 downtown stops.

Our local bus service provided 58.2 million rides in 2017. We have 22 high-frequency routes with buses that come every 15 minutes or less, seven (7) days a week, that form a grid across the busiest parts of the city.

18 19 METRO’s “reimagining” process was so successful it now serves METRO’S LOCAL BUS NETWORK as a model for 28 other cities in the U.S. and as far away as New

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0 S 4 FM 22 2 FM 521 METRO’s reimagining process now serves To Missouri City / SH 6 P&R:170 as a model for 28 other cities including Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand, as they work to update their aging transit systems. Chalk it up to the power of reimagination. FOR LOCAL BUS

• First top to bottom revision of METRO President & CEO Thomas Lambert with local bus rider. “The best way to find out what your customers want is to ask the bus system since 1978 them.” • Enhanced 7-day a week service on all local routes Beginning in 2014, METRO redesigned our entire local bus network from top to bottom, • More high-frequency reevaluating every individual route, and bus routes redrawing the whole system to take into account changes in population, job centers and other • Integrated local bus service factors. with new rail lines for better The New Bus Network was instituted literally connectivity For details about fare purchases, discounts, rider tools, schedules, and maps, please * With appropriate METRO fare cards overnight. One morning in August 2015, visit us online at RideMETRO.org or in person at the METRO RideStore, 1900 Main.

20 21 METRO METRO SERVICE SERVICE COMMUNITY CONNECTOR: QUICKLINE SIGNATURE A WORKING MODEL Another tailored bus service is the Quickline Signature Service, which provides express service with limited stops along the METRO’s Community Connector provides METRO’s Community Connector has its own 2 Bellaire route. The Quickline is a frequent curb-to-curb service in zones where missing dedicated dispatch team and drivers, so there service route with buses every fifteen sidewalks, narrow streets, and roadside ditches is a very real sense of community. The program minutes or less. make it difficult for residents to access regular has seen a steady increase in ridership and is bus service. Residents inside the zone can call a possible model for other neighborhoods with for a ride up to an hour ahead or schedule a limited access to regular service. ride. The cost is the same as regular bus service. METRO also uses smaller vehicles and customized service tailored to specific needs.

Hub Transit Center

Zone Park & Ride

22 23 METRO SERVICE SPEAKING OF GREEN GREENLINK DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE

The Greenlink makes 18 stops downtown, putting you within steps of more than 40 METRO popular destinations. is a helps reduce great place to work and play. Day or night, seven greenhouse days a week, use the Greenlink to sightsee or gases by 700 just catch a ride back to your office after running million pounds an errand. The fare? It’s FREE. Greenlink is a each year.* partnership between the Downtown District and Houston First, and is operated by METRO. The bus fleet runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), making it a cleaner transportation alternative.

METRO’s 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses are currently the least costly to operate due to reduced fuel costs.

METRO’s modern fleet features more than 400 clean-running, diesel- electric hybrid buses.

*Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) transit benefits calculator

24 25 METRO

METROSERVICE Changes Lives Meet Zack, one of our “My METRO Life Changers — Leang METRO” video stars. Zack’s mom “My real dream is to go from the works, so every day, Zack rode and Frank “Human lives — we should METRO’s #52 bus to Kashmere TITLEThunder Soul to the Ocean of Soul High School where he was the be grateful for our lives and at TSU. And METRO’s going to take drum major for the Thunder Soul helping each other.” . He was a star there, me there.” too, known for his commitment and high energy. His real dream? Meet Leang “Terry” Ear, METRORail To attend TSU and be part of traction power technician and part-time the Ocean of Soul. Zack’s hard superhero. Born in Cambodia, Ear joined work did not go unnoticed. At the METRO in early 2017 and has a degree homecoming game during his in electronics from DeVry University in senior year, TSU presented him with Pomona, California. He and his family fled a scholarship! Sometimes dreams the Pol Pot regime when he was seven. are just a bus ride away. That early experience with determination and grit stood him in good stead on the Monday before Thanksgiving. At five feet, seven inches and 150 pounds, it was sheer determination that enabled Leang to pull two barely conscious adults, both heavier than he, out of a burning car that had crashed into a pole.

“The Veteran’s Pass was a lifesaver for me and it’s something I offer every veteran who comes through the door.” “You just keep moving forward to help people. April Moreland is a Certified Peer Support You don’t look back.” Specialist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center where she helps fellow veterans transition back into civilian life. The Air Force veteran was Meet METRO street supervisor, Frank once on the street herself. One of the many items Gonzales. After 28 years with METRO, of assistance the VA provided to Moreland was a he knows how to step up. During Qualified METRO Veteran’s Pass (MVP). Because Harvey, his own house flooded with she was a disabled veteran, the pass gave her free, 18 inches of water, but as soon as the unlimited rides on METRO’s light-rail, local bus, and roads were passable, he reported to Park & Ride service. With it, she was able to get to NRG Center to help with relief efforts — doctor’s appointments, group therapy sessions, the and worked for two consecutive weeks grocery store, and more. “Mobility is so important without a day off. He coordinated daily when you’re in recovery,” she says. shuttles from NRG to Wal-Mart, Target, and the Workforce Commission.

26 CHAPTER ?: Chapter Title 27 METRO HOV/HOT lanes maximize the SERVICE utility and value of existing freeway lanes by allowing riders and vehicles to move faster and bypass PARK & RIDE BUSES AND heavy traffic. HOV/HOT LANES

METRO’s Park & Ride service provides stress- Working late or leaving early? No problem. free commutes to and from the suburbs. Park & Ride routes now offer midday service, late Riders park a car at one of METRO’s 27 Park & evening service and a guaranteed ride home in Ride lots, board a 45-foot commuter bus, and case of emergency. on an HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) express lane to downtown, the Texas Medical METRO also operates about 100 miles of the Center and other major employment centers. At region’s HOV lanes — all but those on the Katy the end of the workday, a Park & Ride bus carries Freeway. During off-peak hours METRO’s HOV commuters back to their . lanes become “HOT” lanes — “T” for “toll” — that allow one-passenger vehicles to use the lanes for a small fee.

METRO provided 7.7 million An additional 25.4 million people Commuter buses eliminate 20,000 Park & Ride commuter bus used HOV/HOT lanes operated trips each day, easing traffic on rides in 2017. by METRO in 2017. congested freeways.

28 29 PARK & RIDE MAP Meet Martina and Jeff “Riding the Park & Ride bus has made a big

TEXAS Kingwood N impact on my life.” Spring Townsen

TEXAS Kuykendahl Meet Martina, one of our “My Cypress METRO” video stars. Martina started Seton Lake Eastex using Park & Ride service 10 years ago for various reasons, but the main Northwest Station reason was the desire to improve her N. Shepherd W. Little York health by reducing stress. Using public TEXAS transportation relaxes her before work, and on the way home. Martina’s Park & Baytown Ride commute buddies include smart Grand Parkway Addicks Maxey Road phone gamers, mobile office devotees, Kingsland and more than a few nappers. But Martina just likes to sit back, enjoy Gessner letting someone else drive, and know Westchase Hillcroft she’s saving money. Westwood Monroe West Bellfort Missouri City Fuqua South Point

El Dorado Bay Area TEXAS Missouri City / SH 6 “I just rolled across the street, jumped on the Park & Ride bus, and it was stress-free.” FARES FOR PARK & RIDES HOT LANES Meet Jeff, one of the voices of our Fares FREE Tolls “My METRO” radio spots. Jeff is a combat veteran who lost a leg in a accident. He’s also a METRO rider. When he moved to Houston, his car Zone 1: $2.00/one way Seniors 70+ * Tolls are based on time of day and congestion broke down the first week he was here. Zone 2: $3.25/one way Qualified veterans* level. Rates are There was a Park & Ride nearby. So Jeff prominently displayed just rolled across the street, boarded Zone 3: $3.75/one way Qualified at each entrance. the bus and he’s been riding METRO METROLift ever since. He hasn’t lost his appetite enrollees* Zone 4: $4.50/one way for speed and adventure, though. He Children under 5 found hand cycling by way of Achilles International and recently participated in his third Chevron Houston Marathon. METRO is proud to have the opportunity For details about fare purchases, discounts, rider tools, schedules, and maps, please * With appropriate METRO fare cards visit us online at RideMETRO.org, or in person at the METRO RideStore, 1900 Main. to take Jeff where he wants to go.

30 31 METRO SERVICE METRORAIL

METRORail quickly connects people to the The Red Line opened in 2004 as the Main most-frequented destinations in the city, Street Line and today is 12.8 miles long. It carries traveling through downtown and serving, in an average of 52,000 passengers daily to and part, the Texas Medical Center, Museum District, from major destinations, making it one of the and Texas Southern nation’s most traveled lines based on boardings University campuses, and the historic East End. per track mile. METRORail consists of three light-rail lines: The Purple Line (6.6 miles) and the Green Line the Red Line, Green Line (East End) and the (3.3 miles) opened in May 2015. The last mile Purple Line (Southeast), totaling more than 22 of the Green Line was added with the opening of miles of rail, with 18.4 million rides in 2017. Our the Harrisburg overpass, extending the line to the fleet consists of 76 light-rail vehicles. Magnolia Park Transit Center in early 2017. The Red Line is one of the highest performing rail lines in the country.

METRORail gave 18.4 million Houston has seen more rides in 2017. than $8 billion in new development along the Red Line since it opened in 2004 — with more to come.

METRORail relieves traffic congestion and parking pressures for downtown-area events. 32 33

“I rely on METRORail… N Meet Catherine FARES FOR without it, I wouldn’t be METRORAIL able to pursue my passion for ballet.”

Meet Catherine, one of the “My METRO” video stars. Catherine dances at a ballet academy downtown and is a ballerina in training. Every day, she says, “I practice. And I practice. I amaze. Then I do it all over again.” That’s the kind of dedication it takes to be a dancer. Catherine got her first METRO fare card at age 12. She’s been taking METRORail to ballet class ever since. METRO is honored to help her achieve her dream.

Arts in Transit

METRORail’s Arts in Transit program is one of the largest public art projects undertaken in the area. It included input from hundreds of community groups, neighborhood residents, local businesses, and passionate art fans. Many METRORail stations are now art installations, exhibiting unique themes, images and inspiration taken from the surrounding neighborhoods.

For details about fare purchases, discounts, rider tools, schedules, and maps, please visit us online at RideMETRO.org or in person at the METRO RideStore, 1900 Main.

* With appropriate METRO fare cards

34 CHAPTER ?: Chapter Title 35 METRO SERVICE VANPOOLS BENEFIT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES

Attention employers! Encouraging your METRO STAR VANPOOL employees to share a ride will help them arrive on time, reduce their drive-time stress, and ease congestion on the road and in your company’s METRO’s STAR Vanpool is a cost-effective Registered riders are eligible for a guaranteed parking lot. There are also tax benefits to you and public transit option that serves not only Harris ride home in case of emergency. For information your employee when you share the cost of the County, but Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, on how to start or join a vanpool, email us at ride. Launching your company’s program is free Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller [email protected], call 713-224-RIDE, or fax us and easy. Just contact us at [email protected], Counties. at 713-652-8962. and we’ll take it from there. Riders (usually 5 to 15 per vanpool) share the Attention employees! On average, it will cost cost of the van, fuel, maintenance, parking and you $4 to $6 per day to ride in a METRO STAR tolls. Employers often help defray these costs. Vanpool (even less if your employer provides a A dedicated METRO STAR team works directly transportation benefit). This estimate is based with riders to design a route tailored to their on the number of miles from the STAR Vanpool commute, using HOV and diamond lanes to meeting place to your work site and includes reduce travel times, and to help commuters find van lease, liability insurance, 24/7 roadside others interested in the program. METRO also assistance, routine maintenance and repairs, works with employers to promote and support gasoline, parking and toll costs. STAR routes. STAR vanpools reduce vehicle miles METRO facilitated 2 million traveled in the Houston region by vanpool rides and more than 700 Only two transit agencies in the 60 million miles per year. active vanpools in 2017. United States have more vanpool trips than METRO’s Star Vanpool. VANPOOLS ARE A WIN WIN WIN $

No wonder people like it. Passengers can text, listen to music, sleep, or just enjoy a bit of time to focus on the day ahead instead of traffic. Vanpools are easy on you, easy on your budget, and easy on the environment.

36 37 METRO All METRO vehicles SERVICE are ADA-compliant and also have designated seating for elderly or SERVING OUR ELDERLY AND disabled riders, and DISABLED COMMUNITIES spaces for wheelchairs.

One of METRO’s most important missions is for disabled subscribers who, because of their providing our disabled community access to disability, cannot access regular METRO bus employment, health care, and all of our region’s routes and train stops. assets and opportunities. METRO local bus, rail, and commuter bus 100 percent of METRO vehicles are accessible service is free for riders over 70, METROLift under the standards of the Americans with Freedom Q Card holders and qualified veterans. Disabilities Act (ADA). METRO local bus, rail, and commuter bus Additionally, our METROLift program provides service is discounted 50 percent for disabled curb-to-curb service in ADA-accessible vans riders who are not enrolled in METROLift, and seniors 65–69.

METROLift gave 1.9 million rides in 2017.

Remember, METROLift is a shared-ride service, so you may see a familiar face or a good friend when you board.

METROLift is one of the most efficient transit programs for the disabled in the country.

38 39 METROLIFT FARES HOW TO APPLY Meet Ileana

FARES

Base Fare $1.25 Single Trip

Premium Fare $2.50 Single Trip For information on how to apply for, and receive, your appropriate Ticket Book $12.50 11 Single Tickets discount fare card, please visit us:

Monthly Pass $47.25 • Online: RideMETRO.org

Annual Pass $418.50 • Call: 713-635-4000

Freedom Q® FREE Card • In Person: Come to the METRO RideStore at 1900 Main Street, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

TRAVEL TRAINING

Meet Ileana, another real-life METRO rider and “My METRO” participant. She is an architectural designer and accessibility specialist. Ileana swam for Team U.S.A. in the 2012 London Paralympics. Since then, her life hasn’t slowed down. Ileana rides both METRO’s 82 Westheimer route and “I ride METRO’s 82 Westheimer METRORail for business, time with friends, swim practice and wherever the day takes route…and with my METROLift her. She’s a true believer in public transit Freedom Q Card, I ride all METRO METRO’s free Travel Training Program is intended to coach and educate participants on how to and looks forward to seeing where METRO ride METRO’s local bus routes and the METRORail system. Individual or group training sessions is taking the Houston region next. buses and light-rail FREE.” can be scheduled by calling 713-750-4234 or emailing [email protected]. The Travel Training class is open to people who enjoy the benefits of multiple travel options. Plus there is no age restriction or disability requirement — anyone can attend. 40 41 SAFETY & SECURITY SAFETY AND SECURITY IN NORMAL TIMES AND TIMES OF EMERGENCY

METRO is an active and important partner in providing safety and security not only for Emergencies: METRO’s system, but for our region. IF YOU Call 911 METRO’s almost 200 police officers, who are METRO Police: licensed by the Texas Commission on Law SEE 713-224-COPS Enforcement, help ensure safety on METRO’s SOMETHING (2677) system. MPD officers also participate in the Motorist Assistance Program (M.A.P.), helping SAY SOMETHING MPD Connect: stranded drivers on the freeways. Live chat with METRO also partners with the City MPD or file a of Houston, the Texas Department of report. Transportation, and Harris County in Houston TranStar, the regional transportation and emergency management center for the greater Every day METRO police officers patrol area Houston area. TranStar is home to METRO Police streets, roadways and all METRO facilities Communications, which include the camera including Park & Ride lots and Transit surveillance of Park & Ride lots, police dispatch, Centers. Plainclothes officers ride buses and and coordination with the City of Houston’s trains, and bicycle officers watch over high SafeClear towing program. traffic areas. And when disasters strike our region, METRO is right there. Hurricane Harvey is the most recent example. As rain pummeled our region, METRO moved 15,000 people into THE MOTORIST ASSISTANCE shelters, helped Red Cross supplies reach their PROGRAM (M.A.P.) destinations, and provided transit for essential services. M.A.P. has helped more than 100,000 As the flood waters receded, METRO stranded motorists since 1989. Vehicles patrol committed its resources to the recovery, approximately 150 miles of freeway around moving people to temporary housing or back Houston from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and home, transporting many students back to are equipped with gasoline, water, hand tools, school, and resuming regular service quickly to jumper cables, and push bumpers. Dial 713- get the region back to work and to a semblance 225-5627 (723-CALL-MAP) to report a stalled of ordinary life. vehicle or an accident. Verizon Wireless phone customers can also call *627 (*MAP). The M.A.P. For those who lost cars or whose parking operator will contact the city of Houston’s garages flooded, METRO was a new lifeline. SafeClear program if additional services are required. 42 43 HURRICANE All told, METRO moved 15,000 HARVEY people out of harm’s way, and transported them to safety. HIGHLIGHTS AND HEROES!

“We would have not been able to get people to the various METRO employees shelters without the help of and leadership METRO. We certainly appreciate worked night and them. They have gone over and day to keep people, above.” supplies, and information flowing. Sylvester Turner, City of Houston Mayor

When Hurricane Harvey came, METRO was prepared. A mile-long convoy of 120 buses was moved to high ground, ready to be deployed after the storm. 44 45 Heroes of Harvey METRO Leadership Honored After METROLift contract driver Ramonia McCarty stayed with her elderly and disabled passenger Hurricane Harvey for 18 hours — engaging her in conversation, encouraging her to move around, and reassuring her that she would not be abandoned in their stranded vehicle. Her heroism was recognized by Mayor Sylvester Turner, who declared October 10 to be Ramonia McCarty Day! McCarty was also honored as driver of the year by the International Association of Transportation Regulators.

“ I tried to think of her as my grandmother or mother, and what I would want someone to do for her.”

Left to right: Harris County Commissioners Steve Radack, Jack Morman, County Judge Ed Emmett; METRO Board Chair Carrin F. Patman; METRO First Vice-Chair Jim Robinson, METRO President & CEO Thomas Lambert, METRO Board Member Sanjay Ramabhadran, Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis, and R. Jack Cagle.

Group Photo Courtesy of Joe Strange of The Harris County Attorney’s Office

Harris County Commissioners Court honors METRO’s leadership for its emergency response role during and after Hurricane Harvey. “It was hard to tell where a roadway began and ended. Everyday objects like electrical boxes and fire hydrants became METRO’s ability to restore normal service in amazingly short order “During the storm, underwater hazards. played a major role in helping The hidden dangers also area residents start the process of METRO was outstanding. included a swamp of recovery. It also caught the attention We couldn’t have asked submerged cars.” of Moody’s Investor Service, which for a better partner.” renewed METRO’s Aa2 bond rating, citing METRO’s impressive Harvey Ed Emmett, Despite the danger, METRO master mechanic Carlester Chatmon navigated treacherous Harvey performance as evidence of “strong floodwaters in a high-water military rescue vehicle. Chatmon and his three HPD partners pressed on, Harris County Judge rescuing families all over the Houston area. operational practices.”

46 47 METRO In 2017, TranStar reduced PARTNER travel delays by almost 21.6 million vehicle hours and reduced fuel consumption by TRANSTAR 40 million gallons.*

TranStar is a state-of-the-art transportation management center responsible for bus and rail dispatch, traffic signal systems, and the supervision of freeways and incident programs. Nearly 1,000 closed-circuit cameras are monitored by representatives from the City of Houston, Harris County, METRO, and TxDOT to actively manage an average 230 traffic incidents each day, and provide timely information to frontline responders, the media, and motorists. During emergencies, TranStar is the primary coordination and response site for state, county and local agencies. TranStar was the first center in the nation to combine transportation and emergency management, and the first to bring four agencies together under one roof. TranStar keeps motorists informed, roadways clear, and saves lives during emergencies. METRO is proud to be a TranStar partner.

For every $1 spent on Houston TranStar, the region realizes a benefit of $19.50.* TranStar emergency management activities and Since its inception warnings have decreased the in 1997, TranStar number of injuries, deaths, and has saved extensive property damage commuters $6 caused by floods and other billion in reduced weather-related and/or man- travel delays and made events. fuel costs.*

*Texas A&M Transportation Institute

48 49 SPECIAL EVENTS MAJOR EVENTS IN THE REGION

When the Houston region hosts a major The World Series and Super Bowl LI built event, METRO is there to connect people to upon METRO’s previous experience with the biggest events in the city or in the nation. large-scale events including the NCAA Final Four Tournaments in 2011 and 2016, as well as the The Astros weren’t the only ones making annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Houston history in 2017. Fans who chose METRORail to get to the Astros World Series Parade set a new record for single day ridership. METRORail tallied 125,000 boardings on Friday, Nov. 3. METRO adjusted train schedules, reworked detours and added trains to accommodate the record-breaking ridership, parade route changes and congested downtown streets. The work to keep the region moving continued behind the scenes. On Friday, METRO customer service agents fielded more than 5,000 calls, nearly double a typical Friday, and the social media team handled nearly a thousand mentions and comments.

When Super Bowl LI’s New England Patriots Mayor Sylvester Turner celebrates and Atlanta Falcons descended on the Astros fans set a new record for single-day ridership — 125,000 Houston region, METRO was there to provide at the Astros’ 2017 World Series METRORail riders on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. transit for visitors and locals. With major Victory parade. events staged at , the recently opened METRORail Green and Purple Lines, as well as the established METRORail Red Line, were vital to transporting hundreds of thousands to the game and events. Ridership during the nine-day period shattered all previous records METRO employees filled 800 with more than 700,000 boardings. volunteer shifts during the Super Bowl LI festivities. Among them were METRO Board Chair Carrin Patman, pictured at right. At left, President & CEO Tom Lambert directs Super Bowl fans wearing METRO’s signature METRO’s employees and yellow vest, red cap, and big smile. ambassadors make sure riders know how to get to the big events. 50 51 FORWARD THINKING OFFICE OF INNOVATION

In 2016, METRO established its own think In 2017, METRO hosted the 2nd Texas Mobility tank within the agency called the Office of Summit showcasing mobility projects from Innovation (O.O.I.). around the state, where participants looked at transit solutions like platooning buses and The office’s mission is comprehensive, but driverless cars. No word yet on flying cars, but if All future transit options simple: think big. Think different. Think ahead. Rendering of someone out there has a good prototype, we’d are closely evaluated for Platooning buses Study the latest, greatest innovations in mobility love for you to get in touch. and figure out how they might work for us. Find environmental impact. new and better ways to move people. Find best practices in procurement, operations, analytics, and accounting. The O.O.I. hit the ground HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT/ PLATOONING BUSES ARE running. AN INTRIGUING SOLUTION The O.O.I. was instrumental in securing Texas as a recognized Autonomous Vehicle As our region grows, some travel Platooning buses use autonomous Proving Ground. This designation allows the challenges can only be met by higher driving technology, allowing a caravan use of METRO’s High Occupancy Vehicle lanes capacity transit technologies like light of driverless vehicles to synchronize to develop, test and refine new transportation rail, , and bus rapid transit braking and accelerating – saving both technology in real life conditions. — transit modes that carry more people fuel and time. than conventional buses. METRO is the team leader for Houston in During peak traffic hours, several buses Our “Autonomous Vehicle the Texas Innovative Alliance, a program Combined with dedicated lanes that can platoon, moving large numbers of Proving Ground” designation in which cities across the state tackle separate transit from traffic, these passengers like a train. mobility challenges. Each city has a “team” technologies deliver fast, reliable, allows the use of HOV lanes to of stakeholders. Houston’s team includes ten comfortable, and safe transit service. In off-peak hours, buses can separate test driverless technology. agencies, among them, the City of Houston, the and redeploy where they are needed. High capacity transit works best in Texas Medical Center, the University of Houston, dense environments, where lots of High capacity, rapid bus transit uses Texas Southern University, and five other people need to connect to concentrated existing freeways and infrastructure. government agencies including the Houston- employment centers – like Downtown, Galveston Area Council and of Houston. Uptown, Midtown, and elsewhere. METRO is testing and evaluating vehicles and technologies that will move people and traffic faster and more efficiently. These services require significant capital investments. METRO continues to look METRONext will explore where such for new and innovative improvements deliver the most bang for transit options. Board Chair the buck. Carrin Patman takes a test ride in an autonomous vehicle at the Texas Mobility Summit.

This is a rendering of a Post Oak/Uptown bus rapid transit platform. 52 53 WHAT’S Board Chair Carrin Patman NEXT greets attendees. METRONEXT: HELP US PLAN FOR THE FUTURE!

Just as we reimagined our bus network which we are calling METRONext, to meet our to better serve our region, METRO is now region’s current and future transit needs. reimagining its entire system to plan for our region’s future. We want to know what you think. What kind of transit system would meet the needs of Our region’s population will reach ten million you and your family, and best serve residents, by 2040, a 50 percent increase, adding the communities, businesses and visitors? combined populations of San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christi, and Arlington. These We hope you will participate in our robust numbers take on real world significance when community involvement process, which applied to how we live, work, access medical includes public meetings and online input at care and education, play, and transport even RideMETRO.org. We are open to all ideas about larger numbers of people in a crisis. the “corridors” (connections between points) and sections of town that need enhanced service, Consider the effects of Hurricane Harvey and the type of transit best suited for a given on mobility. Did you spend stressful hours corridor or area. Regular buses, bus rapid transit in gridlock traffic because of flooding, road (buses with amenities of rail cars), enhanced closures, and drivers diverting to residential HOV lanes, light rail, commuter rail, autonomous routes to avoid water on main thoroughfares? buses, and all other feasible options for moving Without proactive transit expansion, the large numbers of people are on the table. impending population boom will cause the same result. And as we plan, we are always focused on enhancing the ridership experience by adding In collaboration with the Houston-Galveston bus shelters and other amenities, enhancing Area Council and other community partners, safety, and improving accessibility for those with METRO is developing a Regional Transit Plan, impaired mobility.

President & CEO Tom Lambert and board member Lex Frieden discuss how METRO invited the public to make transit work for to 25 community meetings everyone – now and in the and open houses in 2017. future. 54 55 METRONEXT REGIONAL TRANSIT PLAN: NEXT STEPS

In 2017, we reached out to riders and When the draft plan is ready for review and residents, business and community leaders, comment, METRO will again solicit input from young people and senior citizens, newcomers all stakeholders to make sure the plan will: and lifelong Houstonians. We held 25 community meetings and open houses hosted by METRO Board Chair Carrin Patman and METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert along • Improve Mobility with other board members and employees. • Enhance Connectivity We invited people to take a survey on our • Support Vibrant Communities website and we communicated via social • Ensure a Return on Investment media. Now we are in the process of analyzing the information and formulating a new transit The future is coming. And with your plan that will make sure the region is prepared help, METRO is going to get it right! for the coming explosive growth in population, jobs, and residents.

56 METRO Wants Your Input

METRO is serious about wanting to know what you think. — visit METRONext.org. METRO HIGHLIGHTS

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