The World Is Watching, Houston Is Moving!
METRO continues to deliver improvements that strengthen the transit system riders rely on every day.
With FIFA World Cup 2026™ now underway, METRO is seeing the benefits of investments designed to strengthen the transit system for residents and visitors alike.
METRO is advancing projects focused on safety, cleanliness, reliability and accessibility across the region. From transit center upgrades and enhanced security measures to station improvements, beautification projects and expanded customer amenities, these investments are helping create a stronger transit system for residents and visitors alike.
Many of these improvements are delivering lasting benefits for the people who ride, work and live here every day.
METRO is strengthening the system Houston depends on today while continuing to welcome the world.
Watch the latest video to see how METRO and its regional partners are helping Houston get ready for FIFA World Cup 2026™ and creating a lasting legacy for the region.
METRO Extends Service to Houston Moving During the FIFA World Cup™
As Houston welcomes thousands of visitors for FIFA World Cup 2026™ and a busy summer of major events, METRO has expanded service across its transit network to help keep the region moving safely, reliably and efficiently. Along with extending Park & Ride service to seven days a week and expanding operating hours, METRO increased METRORail frequency, extended rail service until midnight, expanded bus service and deployed additional personnel to support customers traveling throughout the tournament.
According to Anna Carpenter, METRO’s Director of Communications, the decision to extend METRO operations is part of a broader effort to strengthen mobility options and support the region’s growing transportation needs during one of Houston’s most anticipated international events.
“Preparing for the World Cup meant looking at our entire transit network,” Carpenter said. “From expanded Park & Ride service and additional bus service to more frequent trains and extended rail hours, every enhancement was designed to give customers more transportation options while continuing to provide dependable service for our everyday riders.”
The expanded service reflects METRO’s commitment to strengthening mobility options ahead of major events while delivering lasting benefits for customers throughout the region.
To help riders navigate the system, METRO is updating schedules and trip-planning tools through the RideMETRO app and website. Riders are able to view extended service hours, plan connections and identify the most efficient routes to destinations throughout the region. These improvements are designed to make transit easier to use for both longtime riders and first-time visitors.
Safety remains a top priority, and METRO continues to work alongside the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department and area constables to help keep the transit system safe and secure. Additional patrols will be stationed at Park & Ride facilities, platforms, buses and parking areas.
With extended service, enhanced safety measures and expanded customer support, METRO is helping Houston host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ while delivering the safe, reliable and accessible transportation experience riders expect every day.
A simple conversation can make all the difference during an emergency, service disruption or routine customer interaction. That’s why the METRO Police Department has introduced a real-time translation tool designed to help officers communicate more effectively with people who speak different languages.
Integrated into officers’ body-worn cameras, the technology currently supports more than 50 languages and provides instant translation capabilities in the field. The tool helps officers assist riders, answer questions and respond to incidents more efficiently across METRO’s service area.
“Every officer here at MPD has been issued a body-worn camera, and on that camera is where the translation tool is installed,” said Sgt. Omar Franklin.
The technology has been tested in real-world environments, including rail platforms and other high-noise locations, to ensure officers can use it effectively in both everyday interactions and emergency situations.
The tool will help officers communicate with visitors from around the globe during the World Cup, while continuing to serve the region’s diverse communities year-round.
The translation technology is one example of how METRO is advancing the goals of METRONow through investments in safety, accessibility and customer service. By reducing language barriers, officers can provide assistance more quickly and help create a more welcoming transit experience for everyone.
MPD also emphasized that the technology follows strict data privacy protocols, with recorded data managed and purged to protect users’ anonymity.
While the translation tool will play an important role during the World Cup, its impact will extend far beyond the tournament. As METRO continues enhancing the customer experience, tools like this help ensure riders can access information, assistance and support when they need it most.
METRO Ambassadors Gear Up For Soccer Fans
It takes more than buses and trains to keep a city moving during a global event. It takes people.
That’s where the METRO Ambassadors come in. More than 400 employee volunteers are welcoming visitors, assisting riders and keeping customers moving throughout Houston during FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Founded in 2012, the Ambassador Program has grown into one of METRO’s most anticipated employee engagement initiatives. Today, Stefani Farris, Senior Public Engagement Representative, and Kayona Bastian, Public Engagement Project Manager, lead the program’s logistics, training, scheduling and deployment efforts, ensuring ambassadors are prepared to assist customers during one of the biggest events in Houston’s history.
“For many visitors, this will be their first time using METRO and even their first time visiting Houston. We want every ambassador to be ready to provide a warm welcome, answer questions and help riders navigate the system with confidence,” Farris said. “Those small interactions can make a big difference and help create a positive experience for everyone traveling through Houston.”
Each volunteer has a Quick Guide containing essential resources and customer service contacts, along with information from METRO’s website, including the agency’s dedicated World Cup webpage.
During tournament activities, ambassadors are stationed throughout the transit system, assisting riders along key corridors from the Theater District to East Downtown. Ambassadors are available daily to answer questions, provide directions and help customers reach their destinations.
The welcome begins even before visitors board a bus or train. Ambassadors will also be stationed at both Houston airports, helping travelers connect with METRO’s 500 Downtown Direct service for convenient transportation to Downtown Houston and the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“Our goal is to make sure every ambassador feels prepared and supported before they step into the field,” Bastian said. “From training and scheduling to resource planning and communication, there’s a tremendous amount of coordination happening behind the scenes to help create a seamless experience for both our Ambassadors and our customers.”
The Texas Medical Center is one of the busiest destinations in the METRO system. Each weekday, METRO carries more than 53,000 trips on bus and rail lines that connect directly into TMC, helping patients, healthcare professionals, students and visitors reach one of the largest medical complexes in the world. At the center of those connections is the recently renovated TMC Transit Center, a vital hub designed to provide safer, more reliable and more accessible service.
Interim President & CEO Tom Jasien said the project is part of the agency’s broader commitment to improving the customer experience across the transit system.
“METRO plays a critical role in connecting patients, healthcare professionals, students and employees to the Texas Medical Center every day,” Jasien said. “As the largest healthcare center in the world, it depends on reliable transit, and these improvements strengthen a hub that will serve our community for years to come.”
According to Mikal McMillan, Field Systems Project Manager, the transit center is a priority for METRO and the city it serves.
“We wanted to make this the crowning jewel of METRO,” McMillan said. “It’s one of METRO’s biggest transit centers, located in the heart of the region and the Texas Medical Center.”
Why the Upgrade Was Needed
For years, aging elevators and escalators led to frequent breakdowns that disrupted service and hindered pedestrian flow.
The upgrades are especially important for the thousands of patients, healthcare workers, students and visitors who rely on the transit center each day.
Rather than continue costly, short-term fixes, METRO made the decision to fully replace these systems. Crews reinforced the skybridge structure, repaired concrete, addressed rust and cracks and applied fresh finishes to enhance both durability and appearance.
Today, riders will experience modern, reliable improvements designed to enhance safety, accessibility and the overall customer experience while supporting the long-term mobility needs of one of Houston’s busiest transit hubs.
This is an important connection point for so many people in the community. Overall, it’s been a very seamless project. It’s been very fluid working with all the teams involved.
The Secret to a Stress-Free Commute Is Finally Out!
For more than 20 years, Kathleen Henshaw has been vanpooling to work. What started as a practical way to commute has become something much more.
“Most of them have been with me for over five years… we are family,” Henshaw said. “We talk about our kids, husbands, wives and what’s going on. We are a group that enjoys each other.”
While saving money and avoiding traffic are major benefits, Henshaw says the relationships built along the way have made the experience especially rewarding.
METRO Vanpool offers commuters a convenient alternative to driving alone. Designed for groups of five to 15 people traveling to similar destinations, the program helps riders share transportation costs while reducing the stress of daily commuting. Vanpools serve communities across eight counties, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston and Brazoria.
Beyond the social benefits, riders can save significantly on fuel, tolls, parking, maintenance and vehicle wear and tear. Vanpools also have access to HOV lanes on major freeways, helping commuters enjoy faster, more reliable trips.
For rider Phil Pierpont, the financial savings are what made the program attractive.
I really love getting away from the wear and tear of my car. I can ride the vanpool for less than what I would pay for parking in the Texas Medical Center alone.
For many commuters, Vanpool offers the best of both worlds: practical savings and a built-in community. Whether riders are looking to cut costs, reduce stress or simply enjoy a more comfortable commute, the program provides a reliable transportation option that fits into their daily lives.
A Family’s Journey With METRO
What started as a daily bus ride to school has become something much bigger for Elliott Stewart.
When Houston Independent School District began offering free METRO rides, Elliott and his mother, Christy, discovered Route 40 just two blocks from their home, providing a direct trip to the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in which Elliott now rides independently to school each day.
Christy says the experience has delivered more than just convenience; it has helped to build her son’s confidence, time management skills and independence. “It gives him the autonomy to stay late at school or to hang out with friends,” she said, adding that it has also made Houston feel more accessible.
Both Christy and Elliott said the service has been reliable, with consistent on time arrivals and easy trip planning through the METRO app. Elliott said he’s never experienced a missed trip. He added that any minor service issues have been handled swiftly.
Elliott also says riding METRO has challenged common misconceptions about public transit. “It’s just normal people getting from place to place,” he said. He often studies during his commute without feeling out of place.
Christy says the experience has helped her son develop real world skills, including navigating route changes and solving problems on his own; lessons she believes will benefit him long term. The family also appreciates the sense of safety and familiarity created by regular drivers and riders.
Now self-described “METRO Fans,” they hope more families will explore the program and its benefits.
Their message is simple: In Houston, public transit can offer more than a ride; it can open the door to confidence, independence and a stronger connection to the city.
A Community Asked.
METRO Delivered.
When residents at New Hope Housing learned about METRO’s Community Connector service, they quickly recognized how much it could improve daily life for seniors in their community.
Accessing doctor’s appointments, grocery stores and other essential destinations without a personal vehicle could be challenging. New Hope Housing resident Joyce Layrea believed Community Connector could help and began advocating for the service to be expanded to her community.
“They came in telling us about a new way of transportation that would be convenient and affordable to seniors,” Layrea said. “It had one hiccup, and that hiccup was it fell short as to where we were.”
Determined to find a solution, Layrea shared her concerns during a METRO Board Meeting, emphasizing the transportation needs of New Hope Housing residents.
Her feedback was quickly heard.
For New Hope Housing residents, the Community Connector has become more than a transportation option. It’s proof that when a community speaks up and transportation barriers are removed, new opportunities can follow.
Within weeks, METRO expanded Community Connector service into the area, giving residents easier access to transit, healthcare, grocery stores and other essential destinations throughout the community.
“We felt very quickly it was needed in our area,” said New Hope Housing Resident Engagement Coordinator Tiffany Anderson. “And this quick action has changed the game for New Hope Housing residents, giving them access to public transportation and connecting them to new opportunities.”
The impact extended beyond transportation access.
For New Hope Housing resident Yolanda Jackson, Community Connector opened the door to a new opportunity: becoming a Community Connector driver herself.
Today, Jackson helps transport neighbors, visitors and community members throughout the area.
“It’s a great service that is provided to the community,” Jackson said. “And I enjoy it because it allows me to serve the community.”
METRO Expands Bus Shelter Program
Enhancing the Rider Experience
METRO is continuing to improve its customer experience through the ongoing Bus Shelter Improvement Program, a systemwide initiative designed to make public transit more comfortable, accessible and convenient for riders across the Houston region.
According to Kenneth Brown, Director of Service Enhancements at METRO, the program was launched in the 2022 fiscal year with the goal of significantly increasing the number of bus shelters available throughout the transit network.
METRO had approximately 2,400 bus shelters systemwide in Fiscal Year 2022, representing less than 30% of all bus stops. Today, the program continues to make strong progress. METRO’s original contract called for the installation of 2,000 new standard shelters by 2028.
However, Brown noted that the project is currently ahead of schedule and is now expected to be completed by the end of Fiscal Year 2027. The BOOST Program (Bus Operations Optimized System Treatments) is also advancing, with approximately 265 of the planned 425 shelters already installed. These enhancements will play an important role in supporting mobility throughout the region.
The initiative includes two components: the Standard Shelter Expansion and the continuation of METRO’s Rehab Shelter Program. Standard shelters are being assigned to shelter-ready locations across the network, while BOOST shelters are being deployed at improved stops on select high-demand routes.
To determine where shelters are installed first, METRO uses a board-approved prioritization process.
“A key driver of shelter placement is METRO’s board-approved prioritization criterion, which guides staff in determining where shelters provide the greatest benefit,” Brown said. “This framework evaluates activity at each stop, key demographic factors, whether the location functions as a transfer point, and its proximity to key destinations. These factors ensure that shelter investments align with ridership demand, equity considerations, and systemwide coverage.”
BOOST shelters feature solar-powered lighting to improve visibility and safety, while select transfer locations include solar-powered digital signage that provides riders with real-time transit information. These improvements help create a more modern and customer-friendly transit environment.
METRO’s Universal Accessibility (UA) Division has improved more than 5,000 bus stops, ensuring they meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Many of these locations were redesigned to accommodate a METRO bus shelter. Following these upgrades, the Bus Shelter Program assigned shelters to the newly improved, shelter-ready stops.
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1. In what year was Houston METRO established?
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Answer: The Red Line
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