Public Transportation, Houston

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Metro Solutions is much more than simply a rail transit plan. The bus system component of the plan provides for a massive expansion and upgrade of Metro's bus services. With about 44 new bus routes to provide transit access to currently underserved portions of Metro's service area additional park & ride lots, all-day P&R service, and introduction of a de facto Quality Bus service. In addition, MetroLift service for the mobility-impaired would be significantly expanded.

Hotels don't have a shuttle that does but downtown is in between both airports and Super Shuttle can take them from IAH to downtown and then to Hobby for a fee that is less than taxis. If you want the less expensive transportation the METRO bus (#102) runs from IAH to downtown and (#88) runs from downtown to Hobby airport. See www.ridemetro.org for the schedules

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We came in from the north east of town and were headed to San Jacinto Monument. The Lynchburg ferry was the quickest way to get there. It is not built for heavy duty traffic. This is a little town in an out of the way spot. The day we arrived some coast guard type people were doing a mandatory vehicle check. I'm sorry, I can't remember how much it cost. If I find something I will change this entry. On this Friday morning it wasn't a very long wait, at least while we were there. We had just missed it so had to wait about 15 min for the next one, then about 15 min before we took off. I think it holds about 10 vehicles? We got to get up close and personal with some very large Ship as this does take you across the Houston Shipping channel. We asked and the pilot said that yes, there have been times where they contact, but obviously they try to time things so that doesn't happen. This is just the sort of small local experience that we love to have.

We parked our car near Herman Park and took the Metrorail in. It was easy, cheap ($2 each round trip, ticket bought from ticket dispenser at the stop) and smooth, got a little crowded closer to town but seemed like a nice way to leave the driving to "them". Our only complaint was that on a Saturday morning there was a long wait between trains going and coming.

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I used Houston's METRORail system to travel between Downtown and the Museum District. I found it clean, cheap and easy to use. The stations are: UH-Downtown, Preston, Main Street Square, Bell, Downtown Transit Center, McGowen, Ensemble/HCC, Wheeler, Museum District, Hermann Park/Rice U, Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo, Dryden/TMC, TMC Transit Center, Smith Lands, Reliant Park and Fannin South. It takes 30 minutes to get from one end of the line to the other.

The trains run from 04.45 to 00.45 Mon-Thurs, 05.30-02.15am Fri-Sat & 05.30-00.45am Sun. At peak times there is a train every 6 minutes, and off-peak the longest interval between trains is 18 minutes.

You buy your tickets, using cash, credit or debit card at the METRO Ticket Vending Machines, which are on the platforms. A ticket anywhere costs just $1.

Metro is the name of the public transportation (buses) in and around Houston.

If you're going to a big event like the Houston Livestock and Rodeo then you might try riding the Metro to the event. Parking to such huge events as these can be unbearable. Therefore, the city sets up different park-and-rides to the events.

Also, if you are one that is big on public transportation and do not want to rent a car than this would be your only option other than calling a taxi company to arrange your pick-ups and drop-offs.

Fares cost anywhere from $.50 to $3.50
There are discounts for seniors, students and those with disabilities.

On their website they do have a link for visitors to see the major bus routes along the main sights of Houston.

Check out the website for routes, schedules, and MUCH, MUCH more!

The only mass transit type of transportation that Houston offers is by bus. As a tourist, this not a convenient way to get around because its not made for tourists.

There's a new tram that run between the medical district and downtown, but again this is not in any way helpful to tourists.

A rental car is really the only option.

Houston is spread out but if you are staying near the city center (downtown) our local bus system works well. There is also a train that goes from downtown (hotels, restaurants, bars) to the south (museum district, zoo, medical center, reliant park/stadium)

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Houston's Metrorail is a convenient way to traverse the city's northeast-southwest corridor from University of Houston's downtown campus to Fannin South, just beyond I-610 and Reliant Park. Much of the route follows Houston's historic Main Street near the cotton exchanges, old government buildings, Minute Maid Park, and many of the city's huge skyscrapers. At Highway 59 the route turns slightly to follow Fannin St through the Museum District, Rice University, Hermann Park, Hermann Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston Zoo, and Reliant Park. The entire journey takes 32 minutes end-to-end along its 7.5 mile route.

Throughout its entire route, the train runs at street level meaning it has to contend with street lights, pedestrians, and traffic, but it also means you don't have to walk deep down into or out of a subterranean station at each end of your journey. The Metrorail has connections with Metrobus routes at each station along its line.

There are plans to add an east-west line roughly following the Highway 59 corridor from Galleria to Texas Southern University & the University of Houston Central Campus.

Overall, the Metrorail is cheap ($2/person), easy, well-used, and convenient. You can buy a ticket each time you ride, or you can purchase stored-value card at a significant discount from regular fares.

Houston does have public transport - I have used the bus system on occasion, however like a lot of people in Houston I am reliant on my car to get to and from work and around to the places I need or want to visit.

Houston does have a good metro line if you are in town and close enough to use it. I live no where near it and I've not yet had the chance to use it, however one day I will! It goes through Downtown Houston and stops at all the main sports stadiums as well as the Musiem district. The Metro website link should be here as well.