Published On: August 11th, 2015By Leticia Fehling

METRO Changes All Bus Routes on August 16

In less than a week, METRO will launch its new bus network. METRO is re-routing all their buses for the first time in decades. The new network gives riders better service and connections.

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]METRO announced the changes last year. Banners announcing the routes have been up for months. And three different street teams are going to all the major transit hubs with maps and pamphlets. They are answering riders questions about their specific routes.

The transit system’s Board approved the changes to attract new riders. After getting the green light, METRO spent a couple of years to develop the new system that better reflects where people live and work in Houston.

The old bus network relied on routes that weaved through the area and focused on downtown Houston. The restructuring has created more north-south and east-west routes. This new system operates more on a grid pattern around the region.

The new local bus system has more than 20 routes that offer frequent service every 15 minutes or less. The transit system will offer better connections and weekend service to riders. Additionally, all METRO local bus routes will run seven days a week.

What Does METRO’s New Bus Network Offer?

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Improved trips to more of the places riders want to go[/li] [li]Weekend service[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Simplified routes featuring improved connections and fewer branches[/li] [li]More routes working together, creating connections to even more destinations[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Shorter wait times for buses[/li] [li]All local bus routes run seven days a week[/li][/ul]

Riders can check out METRO’s New Bus Network Interactive System Map. It shows bus routes on the New Bus Network. The interactive map can work on tablet and smart phones. Hover over a route and you can see a thumbnail of the route. Click the route to see how often the bus runs on weekdays and weekends. You can also see a map of the bus stop locations along the schedule.

The individual routes on the map are color-coded by how often a bus comes at each stop on a route. The base network would be in place during the weekday midday and weekend time periods. Many routes would run more often during the morning and evening peak commuting periods.

Individual Routes

Red Routes — The frequent network. This means local buses run every 15 minutes or better, at least 15 hours a day, seven days a week. Routes are on major streets, serving neighborhoods, jobs, education, medical care, and retail.

Blue Routes — Local buses run 16 to 30 minutes. Routes have many characteristics of the frequent network. These provide connections to many places in the METRO Service Area.

Green Routes — Local buses run every 31 to 60 minutes, at least 14 hours a day, seven days a week. Routes connect more neighborhoods and other destinations to the network. These local buses connect to transit centers, frequent local buses, and rail.

Orange Routes — Express services that run weekday peak hours only. Large segments of the routes use the freeway to speed up their trips. Routes connect people to jobs and activity centers like downtown.

METRORail — Color-coded by route name. Connects to major activity centers like downtown, the Texas Medical Center, and major universities. Operates every six to 12 minutes. It is also fast bypassing traffic by running in its own lane.