Houston METRO has posted the latest draft plan for METROnext, the plan it is developing for future area transit projects (links below). This new draft has been labeled Plan 'A Plus' and will be the basis for further discussion and public meetings, where citizens can ask questions and get explanations. A couple of initial meetings are listed below, and others will be scheduled. This new plan is based on projected available funding of approximately $7.5 billion, and does not involve any increase in sales tax or other taxes. METRO intends to finalize a plan by next summer, and a bond election would follow sometime afterward, probably November 2019.
Briefly, some principal elements for this revised draft plan are:
1. Extensions of the existing light rail lines, including the Green & Purple lines to Hobby Airport.
2. Five new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) corridors, including University Corridor, Gessner, Downtown to Bush Airport, Downtown to future High Speed Rail Terminal, and extension of Uptown Post Oak BRT.
3. Improved Regional Express Bus service on area HOV lanes with reverse commute options.
4. Improved local bus and service enhancements
Initial Public Meetings:
Livable Houston Initiative Meeting
Wednesday, January 23, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
2nd Floor - Conference Room A
H-GAC
3555 Timmons Lane
Houston, TX 77027
METRO bus access via route #25 or #84
Montrose Area Public Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
The Montrose Center
Room #107, (on second floor; elevator available)
401 Branard St., Houston, TX 77006
Parking lot accessible from W. Main or Branard St.
METRO bus access via route #56 or #25
Below is a link to handouts featuring the new Plan "A Plus". These pages show schematic maps for possible routes, different transit modes, levels of service, etc.:
http://ridemetro.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=1747&meta_id=39956
Below is a link to a Powerpoint presentation providing an overview of the plan
considerations, some of the different technologies involved, etc.:
http://ridemetro.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=1747&meta_id=39953
If anyone has questions, I can try to answer. Contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com