METRO Service Updates Reflect Growing Ridership and Community Needs Across Houston
As Houston continues to grow and evolve, so too does its public transportation network. Starting Sunday, June 8, 2025, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) will implement a range of bus service changes aimed at better aligning with current rider demand, changing traffic patterns, and ongoing community needs. These updates are part of METRO’s broader METRONow initiative, which focuses on improving public transportation safety, cleanliness, reliability, and accessibility.
Aligning Transit with Rider Demand and Travel Patterns
The planned changes will affect multiple local and Park & Ride routes across the Houston region. Adjustments include added trips, revised schedules, and rerouted lines to avoid construction delays and improve travel efficiency.
Notably, METRO’s strategic investment in enhancing service frequency and travel reliability has been met with growing ridership. Riders are increasingly choosing METRO services as a safe, efficient, and affordable mode of transportation for commuting, daily errands, and travel to major destinations like airports and hospitals.
One of the most notable recent additions is the 500 IAH Downtown Direct, a nonstop airport bus route introduced in April 2025. Offering $4.50 one-way trips every 30 minutes between Downtown Houston and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the route provides a vital link for both business travelers and airport employees.
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Key Service Enhancements Driving Increased Ridership
The improvements are not coincidental—they’re part of a deliberate and well-funded transformation under the METRONow program:
1. Safety and Security Upgrades
METRO has invested $7 million to improve rider safety, adding more officers, increasing patrols on transit vehicles, installing updated surveillance systems, and improving lighting and fencing around transit stations and bus stops.
2. Cleaner Transit Spaces
A $2.4 million investment has expanded cleaning efforts across the network. METRO now deploys 24-hour rapid response crews to sanitize high-traffic areas, including rail platforms, bus stops, and park & ride lots.
3. Fleet Modernization and Accessibility
To ensure a more reliable and inclusive system, METRO is adding 350 new buses and replacing 100 METROLift vehicles. More than 700 bus stops are also being upgraded for full accessibility by the end of fiscal year 2025.
4. Microtransit Expansion
In partnership with Evolve Houston, METRO has rolled out the new Community Connector program, bringing electric vehicle microtransit services to the Second Ward, Third Ward, Downtown Houston and The Heights. These free, on-demand shuttles offer eco-friendly rides within specific zones to improve first- and last-mile transit access via the Ride Circuit app.
Local Bus Route Changes Effective June 8, 2025
Several local bus routes will see revised schedules or frequency adjustments to improve operational efficiency. Among them:
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Route 3 Langley - Little York (Mon–Sun): Increased frequency to every 40 minutes.
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Route 27 Shepherd (Mon–Sun): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 28 OST - Wayside (Mon–Sun): Two new weekday (Mon–Fri) eastbound trips at 9:50 p.m. and 10:20 p.m.; adjusted schedule seven days a week.
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Route 45 Tidwell (Sat–Sun): Weekend frequency improved to every 20 minutes.
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Route 46 Gessner (Mon–Fri): Adjusted weekday schedule.
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Route 51 Hardy - Kelley (Mon–Fri): Adjusted weekday schedule.
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Route 52 Hardy - Ley (Mon–Fri): Adjusted weekday schedule.
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Route 86 FM 1960 / Imperial Valley (Mon–Fri): Three new eastbound trips at 8:15 a.m., 8:45 a.m., and 9:15 a.m.; two new westbound trips at 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
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Route 98 Briargate (Mon–Sun): Increased frequency to every 45 minutes; adjusted schedule.
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Route 137 Northshore Express (Mon–Sun): Adjusted schedule.
- Route 151 Westpark Express (Mon–Fri): Adjusted weekday schedule.
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Park & Ride Adjustments Effective June 9, 2025
Park & Ride commuters will also benefit from schedule improvements and detours that avoid traffic bottlenecks caused by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) construction:
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Routes 216 West Little York / 214 Northwest Station (Mon–Fri): Rerouted via Katy-CBD HOV ramp during afternoon peak; adjusted schedule.
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Route 217 Cypress (Mon–Fri): Two new inbound trips at 5:50 a.m. and 7:39 a.m.; two new outbound trips at 3:40 p.m. and 5:19 p.m.; rerouted via Katy-CBD HOV ramp during afternoon peak; adjusted schedule.
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Route 219 Cypress / Northwest Station / West Little York (Mon–Fri): Rerouted via Katy-CBD HOV ramp during afternoon peak.
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Routes 244 Monroe / 248 El Dorado (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Routes 247 Fuqua / 246 Bay Area (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 255 Kingwood (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 256 Eastex (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 257 Townsen (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 259 Kingwood / Townsen / Eastex (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 265 West Bellfort (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 270 Missouri City (Mon–Fri): One new outbound trip at 8:35 p.m.
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Route 292 West Bellfort / Westwood / TMC (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 297 South Point / Monroe / TMC (Mon–Fri): Rerouted via SH 288 → I-610 → I-45 HOV lane to improve reliability; adjusted schedule.
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Route 298 Kingsland / Addicks / TMC (Mon–Fri): Adjusted schedule.
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Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct (Mon–Sun): New nonstop route between George R. Brown Convention Center and IAH Terminal C, launched April 15, 2025.
Looking Ahead: A More Rider-Centric Future
These service updates are intended to align transit operations with current ridership patterns and infrastructure conditions. By adjusting schedules, modifying routes, and introducing new service options, METRO aims to address evolving traffic demands and improve operational efficiency across the Greater Houston area.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to review the full list of updated routes on METRO’s website and contact customer service for assistance with planning their trips. Support is available by phone or text at 713-635-4000, Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for future updates on local infrastructure, transportation improvements, and community services throughout the Greater Houston area.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
