Houston METRO has started to develop a new Regional Transportation Plan that will define the next steps for transit and mobility improvements in the Houston region. One can also submit comments for the new plan online. Link to METRONext page, scroll down and click on ‘Submit a Comment’: 
http://www.metronext.org/ 

A schedule of public meetings is expected to be announced soon.

Here is a list of some possible projects or improvements that have been suggested by various parties:

1. Extending a rail line west from the existing Main St. Red Line to the Galleria area and possibly beyond.
2. Extending the existing Green Line rail out Broadway to Hobby Airport
3. Equipping the bus fleet with more zero emission buses (more electric powered bus options are now available).
4. Increasing the frequency of buses on key travel corridors (bus frequency greatly improves convenience and improves ridership)
5. Improve street configurations & signals to facilitate faster, efficient bus and rail travel
6. Add ‘all door’ boarding buses on busy bus routes (speeds boarding)
7. Commuter rail to Missouri City area via US 90
8. Facilitate improved transit options in the Houston –Galveston corridor.

In recent years a number of U.S. cities have adopted ambitious transportation plans (e.g. Denver, Los Angeles, and Seattle) that significantly expand transit options with the goals of reducing carbon emissions, improving general mobility, accommodating increased population growth in urban centers, and improving general quality of life. (for video links about these cities, see article in the May Bayou Banner).

Video: how San Francisco has improved bus service:
http://www.streetfilms.org/riders-first-how-buses-are-moving-san-francisco-forward/
 
Video: transportation/ pedestrian improvements in Oslo, Norway (fast growing city):
http://www.streetfilms.org/oslo-the-journey-to-car-free/
 
For questions or more info, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com