The Ground Beneath Us
How METRO Works: Houston Public Transit
By The Change Lab -- via manual_seed -- Apr 18, 2026
Overview
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County provides public transportation to the Houston area through a network of local and express bus routes, METRORail light rail lines, Park and Ride commuter service from suburban locations, and METROLift paratransit service for riders with disabilities. More than 200,000 trips happen on the METRO system each day. This guide explains how to plan a trip and use the system, how fares and fare cards work, how routes are evaluated and changed over time, and how residents can participate in decisions about future transit investments.
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About the source
The practice behind Community Exchange. Founded June 2025 and fiscally sponsored by Impact Hub Houston, we build civic infrastructure for the silent majority of Houstonians who are overwhelmed but ready to engage with their community and city.
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