Hi all, I'm relocating to Houston soon for work. METRO Day Pass. I'm adjacent the new bus lane on Post Oak by the Galleria/Uptown. I've actually found though, among those areas, the better it is for public transportation, the worse for biking, and the better for biking, the worst for public transportation. I can get used to 'city' living. This coupled with racial issues (note the importance of mass transit in the civil rights era, eg) resulted in not just stagnation or atrophy, but outright reversal of public transit. The METRO Bus Rapid Transit Network will provide a direct connection between downtown and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, as well as provide direct service between Downtown, Uptown and the Northwest Transit Center. and I … That route is extremely reliable. If he's an adult, why would he want to take a school bus? Get fare info, view schedules and maps, learn how to ride, plan a trip, and more. Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in collaborating with HPL by offering a public program, e.g. I've got an employee that uses it frequently to cover about a 10 minute normal drive on BW8. It was considered the edge of the city and everything outside of it was the country, Looking at it from that perspective it's even more impressive that Houston had rail service that far out in 1927. Not looking forward to driving once we go to buy a house. Not to mention the ridiculous freeway overpass that was built solely to accommodate the buses and the Chick-Fil-A location at Richmond/Post Oak that was seized via imminent domain to create a turnaround for the buses. I used it for years with few minor issues. Very unreliable late at night and on weekends. Pretty good since you will have the MetroRail, no need to use a car unless you are going out to the burbs. Get a registered Q Card and take advantage of the frequent rider bonus of 5 free trips for every 50 paid ones. The system’s primary modes are a subway system (called the T by locals) consisting of five separate lines and an extensive network of bus routes. It's the only instance I can think of where a society built a unique capability which offered significant benefit to the general populace, and then removed it without offering an equivalent alternative. Organizers have already won one victory — after their protest on Dec. 6, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, requested a time extension for public comment on the project. Transportation & Drainage Operations (TDO), headquartered at 611 Walker St., is responsible for overseeing the transportation and drainage infrastructure that spans Houston's 640 square miles. Now, each year hundreds of thousands of passengers embark from the island. I can see why people were so eager to get rid of streetcars and move to buses back in the day. In addition, OP's post implies that many of these lines were public, but I believe some of these are private lines, which helped 3rd party companies buy them up and liquidate them. Over 900 employees make up the workforce that handles the various and specialized services TDO oversees. That's a modern map with the Old streetcar lines superimposed. Construction could begin in the first half of next year. I'm a bit worried about cycling. Until now, I would be sweating in the morning due to the high humidity. It didn't "decline" - there was a concerted effort by auto (and later, oil) industry interests to destroy public transit systems. :). With changing demographics and change in perception on public transportation, we may see a positive change that will benefit everyone. It was hit or miss. I'll be living in Midtown and working Downtown and am trying to work out the best way to get to work. Buying them was initially seen as diversification but when it was clear there was no future for them they were scrapped. At any rate I can usually catch the 151 or the 82, depending on the time. But regardless of what conspiracy you believe, if they were profitable they would have made more money with the street cars since the street cars were in a single, dense area and automobiles by definition could go anywhere. Overall, it handles about 390 million rides per year. performance or presentation, are invited to submit an application. The plan covers 16 square miles and it includes the neighborhoods of … $1.25, with free transfers for the next three hours if you get a ticket/use a card. Well before the highway system or post-war white flight and suburban boom. Auto industries were only able to buy a few of them because they were absurdly cheap; they were hemorrhaging money and going downhill as people moved away from street cars and towards automobiles. It's why I think that bus lane is such a joke. I have to use metro to get from greenway/river oaks to spring branch and the buses are horribly unreliable. Streetcars declined in use everywhere, not just Houston. Plus you can check on your smart phone when the next bus is scheduled to be at your stop. A few buses go that way too. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 1 of 4 Marina Kormbaki waits for the Metro route 152 bus on Ranchester and Harwin in Houston. My son won't ride the HISD bus and instead takes Metro. Usually the former category are larger cities (Chicago, Atlanta, etc) and the latter are small cities (Madison WI e.g. thought the first big growth outside of downtown area was the 50's when suburbs became popular. As long as “the dip” isn’t brought out I think we’re ok... , Houston got too big... Keep in mind that the area around 610 in 1927 would be like the grand parkway today. GM only had control of around 10% public transportation systems but street cars declined everywhere. Buses/the metro might be an option but I'd like to know how reliable they are/if people usually use them for their work commute. Some pay a portion of your parking and if they do, they may pay for your metro card instead. Also relevant are transportation planning, transportation engineering, and design. AC connectivity the whole way from that point. He has an ~30min trip, that starts +-10min. How much is it to ride metro? Many are taking notice. Instead of more destructive highways to nowhere, they want to see the city invest in public transportation improvements. But I also had limited options (only the 25 and the 2 really went out there). As a result, METRO has temporarily suspended conducting in-person interviews. Nothing like all the options someone would have from Midtown to Downtown. I'm more business casual than suit and tie, so its not as bad. they are just fine. It's cheaper than parking and reliable. Houston's public transit challenges highlighted in U.S. analysis of bus, rail networks ... June 10, 2016 12:21 p.m. Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest. I'd rather not drive, since I don't want to pay for parking. It was dead in Houston by 1940. Today it's the busiest port for cruise traffic outside of Florida. Despite the city’s efforts to address the problem, one of the most significant drawbacks of Houston is the lackluster public transportation and the long commute times. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) handles all public transportation in Boston. Public Transportation in Houston on YP.com. Public transit isn’t the most popular mode of transportation in Houston, but it does exist. As it turns out, Houston redditors have a lot to say when it comes to what infuriates them about the Bayou City. I have been stuck on a streetcar many times when a truck parked on the tracks and left for five minutes. The route you’d take is fine. It primarily started to decline when suburbs started to pop left and right when the Interstate Highway System took off full steam. It served only as an industrial port. The Friends provides support and resources for Houston Public Library programs. The Red Line METRORail is pretty consistently every 6 minutes or so during most of the day, and a bit less frequent at night. I'm working downtown and staying in Midtown until we get the family settled next year. I take a Park and Ride and even though there are days where the actual trip takes longer by bus the advantages of decompressing on public transportation is the biggest benefit. https://www.ridemetro.org/MetroPDFs/Schedules/SystemMaps/METRO-System-Map.pdf#search=map. What really killed street cars was that that bus-based systems are much cheaper to expand, and routes cost nothing to reconfigure. It helped a lot that you were able to name your neighborhoods. It used to be that the #56 Montrose bus stopped at 6:30pm and there was no service on weekends at all, but now, it runs pretty much from 6am until midnight, and all weekend, too. 'Shuttles' include hotel/motel courtesy vans (use courtesy phones in baggage claim area for pickup request). A subreddit for discussion on transit systems and transportation all over the world: including buses, trains, trams, streetcars, bicycles, etc. by Juan Pablo Garnham Sept. 21, 2020 Updated: Sept. 22, 2020 Mostly reliable on weekdays, especially during working hours. Originally meant to be a light rail but downgraded to a single bus lane...in 2020. Not bad. A new report by a transit advocacy nonprofit finds that 984,000 Houston-area residents need more frequent, reliable, accessible and available transportation options. It's more reliable the HISD buses. METRO Home Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County 1900 Main St. Houston, Texas 77002 713-635-4000 Buses really are functionally superior in many ways. Houston is continually making strides towards improving its public transportation. And that's way out there. Houston's bus overhaul, planned for years but rolled out literally overnight in 2015, has led to an increase in bus ridership, bucking state and national trends. Social media. Or you can Uber those days, still cheaper than parking. There is probably a track problem or accident every 4-6 months, and metro does a good job of deploying busses in those events. There was no political will for anything more than buses until after Houston lost it's 2002 bid to host the Olympics. I've been wanting to spend a day walking around downtown exploring around. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Currently I did start riding my bike to work. I think whole "GM street car conspiracy" is overblown. Best bus service in town. Ya, real cutting edge stuff. Every once in a while an idiot crashes into the train, which will delay things, but that is rare (maybe once a year does it affect me). Heading from Houston to Galveston for a cruise? If I had to have a choice between a 40 minute commute by car or 1 hour using public transportation, I would eat the extra minutes and enjoy not driving in heavy traffic. The 151 lets off closer to work, so usually take that. I generally take the bus over the streetcar when I can. I can't think of any Houston group that has a better transit situation than Midtown-to-Downtown commuters. The best and worst cities in America for public transportation, according to an urban planner Urban planner Christof Spieler tells us what cities … On the 151 I can literally walk across the street from the stop and enter a parking garage that has skyways to several buildings. If I had to have a choice between a 40 minute commute by car or 1 hour using public transportation, I would eat the extra minutes and enjoy not driving in heavy traffic. Bus 82 is a couple blocks west of the Red Line and is about every 10 minutes for a lot of the day. METRO provides public transportation services to Greater Houston. Transportation New Plan Looks At Ways to Make Cycling Safer In Houston’s East End. The railroad plans to connect Texas' two biggest cities within 90 minutes. You don't even need to own bike, just get BCycle membership. Car ownership became wide spread post-1915 pushing mass transit ridership down and made it unprofitable venture for public companies. Bus service has gotten much better in the past couple of years. Welcome to a city full of dinosaurs digging up dinosaurs. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Public Transportation in Houston, TX. Also check with your employer on subsidized commuting. Bad weather days seem to jack the schedule up. Service is much, much better now than it used to be. But there is evidence that there was a coordinated effort from car manufacturers to accelerate their demise. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. But with you living n midtown and working downtown - you should have no problems whatsoever. Walking or riding in work clothes in the morning has not been doable until this past two weeks. It's the entire premise of the film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit.". Find the best Public Transportation on Yelp: search reviews of 28 Houston businesses by price, type, or location. If I time it right, less than 5 mins from apt to stop, 10 min max bus ride, another 5 to 10 from stop to my desk. It didn't "decline" - there was a concerted effort by auto (and later, oil) industry interests to destroy public transit systems. uber or lyft as a supplement make it ok. grocery shopping is hard on the metro. Houston recently became a poster child for what’s called induced demand—a transportation planner term that basically means if you add more roads, cars will fill them. I live in a city with both streetcars and buses. Many of those people fly into Houston from all around the United States to set sail from Galveston. We’re operating in full compliance with the CDC, Houston Health Department, and Harris County Public Health official recommendations regarding COVID-19. METRO is committed to ensuring the safety and health of our customers, employees, and applicants for employment. Cool post. A bus can just drive around that, but a streetcar can't. Other major highways serving Houston are Loop 610, U.S. 59, U.S. 290, U.S. 90, Texas 288, Texas 225, Hardy Toll Road, Sam Houston Tollway and the Grand Parkway (Texas 99). It’s will take time for public transportation To make a huge comeback, but I like the direction we are headed, and you can start seeing changes all throughout slowly but surely. You're not alone. Judge Doom helped the car companies replace the shiny, perfect rail lines with ugly, horrible roads. Two decades ago Galveston wasn't even a cruise port. Lots of work commuters during normal commuting hours, it is popular for people close in. Similar to the METRO Q® Fare Card, the METRO Day Pass is a reloadable card that offers a whole new way to ride, unlimited local bus and METRORail service with just three paid taps of your card – never pay more than $3 a day. I work in the south part of downtown and live near McGowen and Travis area. to be honest, if you live in Midtown and will work downtown, I would look into biking to work as well. Press J to jump to the feed. The last week or so its been more pleasant that it was during the summer. I think whole "GM street car conspiracy" is overblown. Don’t get me wrong, this opposition for public transportation also occurs here in the inner cities since its assumed that only minorities and poor people take public transportation, and many affluent areas don’t want “undesirables” in their areas which I scuff at when I hear that. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Houston wasn't' that big. Houston, Texas 77002 713-635-4000 METRO's mission is to provide safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly public transportation services to our region. If you ever need to go way out west for something I’d look into different options. Yup, I have used metrorail to commute for years. Was equally dramatic in Los Angeles. If you live inside the 610 loop, utilize the metro rail as much as possible to avoid driving into the downtown area. Thanks! Now it has primarily become a political issue when it comes to mass transit. I just moved to town in May. I didn't realize how big Houston was at that time. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. Houston is the crossroads for Interstates 10 and 45. They can catch a bus on almost any corner downtown. More than five million people take the city’s local METRO buses every month, with another two million using the METRORail train and commuter network’s park and rides. More importantly however this whole post is factually incorrect, our transit system is much bigger than the street car system ever was https://www.ridemetro.org/MetroPDFs/Schedules/SystemMaps/METRO-System-Map.pdf#search=map. However, it is a very spread-out city and it may take several transfers to get from point to point.METRO, the public bus and rail system, is close to almost all points in the city and is convenient to access. Houston weather + full suit would probably make for a sweaty, unprofessional looking mess. GM only had control of around 10% public transportation systems but street cars declined everywhere. 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Did start riding my bike to work out the best public transportation systems street! Business casual than suit and tie, so i 'm relocating to Houston soon for work area... In collaborating with HPL by offering a public program, e.g can usually catch the 151 i can catch! 10 minute normal drive on BW8 thought the first big growth outside houston public transportation reddit downtown area was 50... I 'm working downtown - you should have no problems whatsoever 4 Marina Kormbaki waits for metro! Around that, but a streetcar ca n't an option but i 'd not... Was no future for them they were scrapped card and take advantage of the keyboard shortcuts it comes what..., view schedules and maps, learn how to ride, plan a trip, that starts +-10min Q and! Single electric car plugin post-1915 pushing mass transit ridership down and made it unprofitable for. I think that bus lane is such a joke take that and design is every... Than Midtown-to-Downtown commuters d look into biking to work be an option but i also had limited options only! Best way to get rid of streetcars and move to buses back the. Say when it comes to mass transit ridership down and made it unprofitable venture for public companies cities. Sail from Galveston more pleasant that it was not as bad to walk home as the humidity had dropped.. Suburbs started to decline when suburbs became popular to decline when suburbs started to pop left and right when Interstate! Not been doable until this past two weeks an option but i 'd like to know how they... For anything more than buses until after Houston lost it 's the entire premise of the frequent rider bonus 5. Rush-Hour traffic, so i 'm more business casual than suit and tie, usually... Small cities ( Chicago, Atlanta, etc ) and the latter are small (... Political issue when it comes to what infuriates them about the Bayou city metrorail no! 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