On-Demand Transit in Houston: There's an App for That

The city of Houston this week launched an app for its Community Connector shuttle service as part of a ten-month pilot project.

1 minute read

September 9, 2020, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


On-Demand Shuttle

Missouri City / Community Connector

"Taking a cue from ride-hailing services, the Metropolitan Transit Authority plans to debut an app next week that will allow riders to book trips with its existing on-demand shuttles," reports Dug Begley in a paywalled article for the Houston Chronicle.

"Once it goes live Sept. 8 in two areas, the app will bring an Uber-like interaction to shuttle users in Metro’s three established Community Connector zones, including the ability to rate the service and the driver," adds Begley.

The app, called curb2curb, adds a new way to access existing on-demand transit service through the Community Connector service, launched simultaneously with Houston's vaunted bus system redesign in 2015. 

The app is being launched in a 10-month pilot project, reports Begley. The pilot "will study whether an app and so-called microtransit services such as neighborhood shuttles serve a demand in Houston that makes financial sense." The curb2curb app will be offered for Community Connector service in three parts of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County service area: Missouri City, Acres Homes, and a large area north of Kashmere Gardens.

Thursday, September 3, 2020 in 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.

7 hours ago - 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.