Houston METRO calls for $3.5B transit bond vote

Houston METRO’s board of directors voted unanimously to approve the METRONext Moving Forward plan, which calls for a referendum to be placed on the Nov. 5, ballot for voters to consider $3.5 billion in bonding authority for METRO.

The balance of the $7.5 billion plan would be funded through local dollars and federal funding grants, with no new tax increases for implementing the plan.

The METRONext plan includes 75 miles of METRORapid service BRT service, includng a connection to Bush Intercontinental Airport; 16 additional miles of light rail, including a connection to Hobby Airport; expanded two-way HOV/HOT lanes; 290 miles of BOOST or optimized bus service along heavily traveled routes; and signature bus service on Westheimer with limited stops.

The plan also calls for investments in 21 new or improved Park & Rides and transit centers, as well as accessibility and usability improvements for seniors and the disabled.

In all, METRONext includes about 40 transit projects. For more, view the video below.