Voters Will Decide on $3.5 Billion Transit Funding Bond in Houston

Houston's potential as a multi-modal city will be on the ballot this November.

1 minute read

August 14, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Houston Light Rail Transit

Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock

"Metropolitan Transit Authority board members voted Tuesday to ask voters in November for permission to borrow up to $3.5 billion, without raising taxes," according to an article by Dug Begley.

"The item will be on the Nov. 5 ballot, the first vote for new transit projects in 16 years for the Houston region," adds Begley.

The bond proposition would enable Houston to move forward with the $7.5 billion METRONext Moving Forward transportation plan, revealed at the end of 2018. The plan calls for three light rail extensions, expanded use of bus rapid transit, and the construction of high-occupancy vehicle lanes on most of the city's freeways.

According to Begley, the plan is expected to shift Houston "from a car-focused city to a multimodal metro region."

Also according to Begley, the bond proposition hasn't yet encountered opposition, but politicians and business leaders are expected to stump for the plan to persuade voters to support the plan and the bond funding.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 in Houston Chronicle

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

30 minutes ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

2 hours ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star