The transit agency is launching upgrades to three of its on-demand services.
Houston Metro is investing in its on-demand services by upgrading METROLift, its paratransit service, making its on-demand rideshare pilot, Community Connector, a permanent part of the transit network and adding a new service zone to curb2curb, another on-demand rideshare service.
“According to [Houston Metro], an automated scheduling option [for METROLift] will allow customers to make next-day reservations while a new Where Is My Ride virtual assistant will provide customers with updated trip information. The METRO On Demand app will also provide self-service booking for METROLift same-day trips,” Brandon Lewis writes for Mass Transit.
Houston Metro is also expanding service hours for Community Connector and rolling out new climate controlled vehicles and dedicated ADA wheelchair-accessible minivans. Both Community Connector and curb2curb have new options where riders can arrange rides with independent drivers in commercial vehicles during periods of high demand.
Read the full story: Houston Metro expands on-demand services
Houston Metro Secures Long-Term Funding for On-Demand Microtransit
The agency is working to integrate the Community Connector service into Houston’s broader transit network.
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.
55% of Houston renters are cost-burdened, analysis shows
Of America’s 10 largest cities, Houston had the second-most renters spending more than 30% of their income on housing in 2024.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Houston Metro makes on-demand rideshare pilot a permanent part of its network
The transit agency is launching upgrades to three of its on-demand services.
LAX SkyLink opening delayed again, contractor won’t commit to new deadline
The project was supposed to open its doors to the public in 2023.
Caltrain may slash over one-third of its stations
If Bay Area voters reject two transit tax measures, Caltrain, BART and AC Transit will see steep service cuts.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello