Houston METRO is expected to finalize its METROnext transit plan in the next several weeks in anticipation of placing a bond referendum on the November 2019 ballot. METRO may schedule a final round of public meetings in July or August.  If those meetings get scheduled we will update this article with a link to that meeting schedule. 

The METRO Board is still considering some possible light rail route options; e.g., which alignment is the optimal route to Hobby Airport via the existing Green or Purple line?  Another is a possible extension of the Green or Purple line from downtown out Washington Ave. to Heights Blvd. But since the idea of taking light rail out Washington Ave. came late in the planning process, that project may not make the plan. 

Below are links to maps and materials explaining the METROnext plan (posted a few months ago). These plans do not illustrate the very latest changes being discussed.  

Link to handouts featuring the 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

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

A principal feature of the METROnext Plan is the addition of five new BRT routes (Bus Rapid Transit).  Houston doesn't have an operating BRT route yet, but one is under construction in Uptown along Post Oak Blvd.  This BRT route may begin partial service in the spring of 2020; it has been a joint project involving METRO, the Uptown Management District, and TxDOT (interface with Loop 610), so a lot of construction coordination has been required.

The new BRT routes in the METROnext plan are an effort to provide a level of service somewhat comparable to light rail, but at initial lower cost and possible faster construction time. BRT routes feature advance ticket purchase, longer buses with multiple doors, and fixed stops with boarding platforms. Opinions about BRT vs. Light Rail service vary; it can very much depend on the actual design and implementation of the BRT project.  Light Rail technology is more energy efficient (lower friction and electrified), provides a smoother ride, and can carry a higher volume of passengers.  But if BRT can be built faster and at less expense, that could be useful in building out Houston's transit network. 

RECENT METRO VIDEOS ABOUT BRT: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhg6s_MH-Hk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z5czP8mHpw

Link for the existing Uptown BRT Project:
https://www.ridemetro.org/Pages/UptownBRT.aspx 

Link to previous article on BRT:
https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/houston/blog/2017/12/bus-rapid-transit

The METROnext plan also calls for improved and more frequent Park & Ride bus service. 

If anyone has questions, I can try to answer. Contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com