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METRO Resumes Fare Collection

Service Update for Week of July 12

Fare collection

METRO will resume collecting fares for all services beginning Sunday, July 12, 2020. At that time, riders will be required to board buses through the front doors and the rear doors will only be used for exiting. For answers to common questions about fares (including fare costs, payment methods, where to buy fares and more), please visit our fare collection page.

Along with using public transit for only essential trips, customers are reminded seating capacity on all METRO vehicles remains reduced to encourage social distancing.

Mask Up to Ride 
Customers are reminded to mask up to ride METRO. The Authority requires all riders, employees, contractors and visitors wear a face covering unless impracticable due to a medical condition. 

The health and safety rule is consistent with state and county orders mandating that everyone over the age of 10 wear a face covering while in businesses or on commercial properties.

Protective Upgrades
Several protective upgrades have been added to ​buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers’ seats will now provide another layer of separation between operators and riders.
METRO continues to follow more frequent cleaning schedules. ​In addition to daily cleaning, buses and trains are ​also cleaned ​midday.

METRO RideStore Reminders

  • The RideStore and Lost and Found office at the Downtown Transit Center, 1900 Main Street is now open Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
  • Customers will be required to use a designated entrance, wear a mask and undergo a temperature check before entering the RideStore.
  • The main lobby will remain closed to the public.
  • Fare cards can be purchased and reloaded at machines located on rail platforms and buses, and at  local retailers, and online.
  • METRO RideStores at Fannin South and 1001 Travis Street remain closed.
tight fare shot

Schedule updates for the Week of July 12, 2020 are below

Park & Ride – Downtown Destinations

  • Service will operate from 5 – 9 a.m. for inbound trips and from 3 – 7 p.m. for outbound trips. 
  • Buses are scheduled to pick up passengers approximately every 15 minutes.
  • 236 Maxey/ Baytown will now operate its regular weekday schedule.
  • Additional service has been added on the 209 North Freeway and 259 Eastex Freeway routes.
  • There will be no midday or late night service.
  • Customers should allow extra time for travel as the buses may make more stops than usual.  

Park & Ride – TMC Destinations

  • Routes serving the Texas Medical Center will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
  • 291 Conroe Park & Ride will only run 6:30 a.m. inbound and 4:30 p.m. outbound trips.

Local Bus

  • Local bus routes will continue to run on a modified Saturday Schedule seven days a week.
  • Service has resumed on the 151 Westpark Express.
  • Route designations can be found on bus stop signs and on this METRO local bus route color chart.
  • Extra buses have been added on routes with high demand to allow riders to spread out on vehicles.

METRORail

  • Red Line: operating every six minutes on weekdays, and every 12 minutes on weekends.
  • Purple & Green Lines: operating every 18 minutes.

METROLift

  • Seating capacity on METROLift vehicles is reduced by 50 percent to encourage social distancing which may lead to delays.
  • Please call METROLift Customer Service at 713-225-0119 if you have questions or need assistance.

HOV/HOT Lanes

  • Service on all METRO operated HOV/ HOT lanes is operating during regular hours.
  • During non-peak hours, single-occupant vehicles can access the HOV / HOT lanes for a toll.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, reliable and affordable transportation services about 370,000 times per day. Besides operating more than 1,200 buses on METRO’s network, METRORail‘s system includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), Green Line (East End) and Purple Line (Southeast). METRO’s services also include: STAR VanpoolMETROLiftHOV/HOT lanesBike & Ride program, Park & Ride, and road improvement projects. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.