Which Houston Metro Board Members Actually Use Transit?

A review of board members' Q Cards reveals the extent to which the people who implement Houston's transit policy actually use the system: some quite a bit, some not so much.

1 minute read

November 20, 2019, 2:00 PM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Houston MTA

Lise Photography / Shutterstock

Following Houston voters' approval of a $3.5 billion transit bond measure, "riders have said it is critical leaders know what sort of improvements need to be built. The best way to do that, some say, is for [Metro] board members to experience it," Dug Begley writes. 

But a Houston Chronicle review of Metropolitan Transit Authority board members' agency-issued Q cards reveals that some of the folks in charge aren't regular transit riders. The review "shows three Metro board members did not ride a single bus or train between Jan. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019. Other members were mixed, with some taking a handful of trips while others with different commuting locations and habits hop aboard frequently."

Sanjay Ramabhadran, one of the board members who logged the most trips, said that using the system is "an important determinant—but not the only one—board members should use" in making decisions, Begley reports. "We all bring different strengths to the board," Ramabhadran said. "Some of them might be riding the system, some of that might be financial or engineering."

Begley's write-up gives some background on each of Houston Metro's board members and outlines how often they use the system, as well as which parts of the system they tend to frequent.

Monday, November 11, 2019 in The Houston Chronicle

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.