METRO's Smart Project Management Means Major Financial Boost from Feds

The federal government is rewarding METRO and the Houston region with up to $18.5 million in grant money for construction of a new transit center. The money was originally part of the financing for the METRORail Northline extension.  When that project was completed early and significantly under budget, METRO sought to utilize those savings for additional transit improvements.. 

Today the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration awarded use of a portion of those savings to help build a new Northline Transit Center at the end of the Red Line.  The transit center will have seven bus bays and a 660-space parking garage. The total cost for the project is estimated at $37 million. As part of the METRONext Moving Forward Plan approved by nearly 70 percent of voters last fall, METRO is building or improving 21 transit centers and Park & Rides.   

"We are very pleased with the federal government's decision.  As METRO continues to look for opportunities to improve mobility throughout our region, federal participation will be critical," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert. 

METRO has often been recognized for being financially prudent by ratings agencies and the Authority is committed to being good stewards of tax dollars. 

METRO is one of three transit agencies announced in a news release today that will be allowed  to use cost savings for additional projects.

"FTA considers and approves additional project activities using the federal share of a project’s cost savings," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "We encourage project sponsors who deliver complete projects under budget to discuss these options with us to maximize the benefits that cost savings can bring to their communities."

METRO Board Approves Changes for Faster HOV/HOT Lane Commutes

METRO's Board of Directors, yesterday, unanimously approved action to speed things up in the HOV/HOT lanes and improve commutes for transit users and carpoolers. 

Starting this summer, METRO will implement new HOV/HOT lane occupancy requirements along  I-45 North, I-45 South, US-290, US-59 North and US-59 South. Those corridors will also have an increase in tolls for single occupant vehicles just prior to HOV-only hours. Toll increases range from 25 cents to $3 above current rates. See table below.

The amended policy is needed to increase speeds in the lanes and provide more reliable trips for transit users. Under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rules, Express lanes are required to maintain a 45 mph average speed.

Previously, METRO increased enforcement along the lanes in an effort to remove violators, but the Authority found enforcement alone did not make any significant impact on average speeds during peak commute hours.

METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert said longer travel times and slower speeds on the lanes, coupled with projected regional growth, necessitate the changes. 

"This is not about creating a revenue stream." said Lambert. "Our goal is to provide the highest operational capacity on our Express lanes. That means optimizing benefits for people using higher capacity transit options like Park & Ride, METRO Star Vanpool and carpools."

The new policy will take effect June 1. Updates will be posted regularly on METRO's website and social media accounts, including Twitter and Facebook.

Customers with questions or who need trip planning assistance are encouraged to call METRO's Customer Service Center at 713-635-4000. More information about additional transportation options METRO offers are available at METRO Park & Ride and METRO STAR Vanpool.