Houston Makes ADA Upgrades to 5,000 Bus Stops

The project is part of a larger plan to make all of the region’s bus stops universally accessible.

1 minute read

December 26, 2023, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Man in wheelchair exiting public bus on ramp while operator waits outside in Houston, Texas.

Houston METRO / Houston METRO

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) announced it completed the upgrading of 5,000 local bus stops with universal accessibility features to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

According to a Mass Transit article, the milestone is part of the agency’s 2017 Universal Accessibility Initiative, which aims to improve 9,000 bus stops with “wider sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, larger bus pads and tactile paving which assist pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired.” The article adds that “All Houston Metro-owned vehicles are ADA accessible.”

Thursday, December 21, 2023 in Mass Transit

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business