Man suspected in fatal shooting near Third Ward identified, still on the run
Police officers with the University of Houston Police Department and TSU Police Department are assisting Metro police in the search for a man involved in a deadly shooting on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Houston Police Department.
METRO joins USDOT initiative to reduce U.S. traffic deaths
Chief Safety Officer Santiago Osorio joined KPRC 2+ to talk about METRO answering the USDOTโs call to action to end U.S. traffic deaths. METRO plans to make roadways safer and reduce road deaths through the U.S. Department of Transportationโs (USDOT) National Roadway Safety Strategy.
Veteran in wheelchair shoots would-be robber multiple times in downtown Houston, HPD says
A suspect was struck by gunfire multiple times after trying to steal a bag from a veteran using a wheelchair near the METRO administrative building in downtown Houston Monday, the Houston Police Department said.
Using public transportation Christmas and New Yearโs weekends? See METROโs adjusted schedule
As many of us utilize public transportation to visit family and friends for the holidays, METRO has released its adjusted schedule to help us with our travel plans. In observance of the Christmas and New Yearโs holidays, METRO will operate on the following schedule:
METRO undergoes โmakeoverโ with universally accessible bus stops
METRO celebrated the completion of 2,500 universally accessible bus stops early in May, marking a huge milestone for transportation equality. METRO is committed to upgrading all of its 9,000 bus stops to be universally accessible -- this means when riders choose to use public transportation, their experience will be safer, more comfortable, and they will have better access to health care, school, and work.
Catalytic converter thieves strike 17 vehicles at various Metro lots across city, officials say
More than a dozen unsuspecting drivers were shocked to learn they were the victims of catalytic converter thieves who struck one Metro Park & Ride lot and one transit center lot in different parts of the city on Monday, officials confirmed.
LIVE: METRO Houston to discuss new Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit Line
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will hold a press conference Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss the new Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit Line, which will run along IH-10 connecting riders from West Loop into downtown Houston.
LIST: Beyond schools - These are closures of note across the Houston area as Nicholas moves in
Schools arenโt the only things closing across the Houston area as Tropical Storm Nicholas moves in. KPRC 2 is following all of the closures that are happening across our area, from major destinations to ports or shopping centers.
Here is a look at improvement projects in the Westchase District
You may have noticed a lot of roadwork by the West Beltway and Westpark Tollway in the Westchase District. Most of this construction kicked off in 2019 with the new reconstruction of Walnut Bend and then the work came on Westheimer, which carries METROโs busiest local bus route. Most recently, a small but crucial bike connection was finished.
METRO offering free rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites around Houston-area
HOUSTON โ METRO Houston will now offer free rides to anyone who plans to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Houstonians within the METRO service area can hop on their local bus, METRORail, Park & Ride, METRORapid, and METROLift ride, according to a news release Thursday. Those who plan to use the free service must show proof of their appointment or vaccination card upon boarding. Eligible riders must also fall under categories 1A and 1B of the state vaccination guidelines, which includes frontline workers, residents at long-term care facilities and those at greater risk for complications. The free ride offer will be expanded along with the stateโs vaccine expansion to other groups.
LIVE BLOG: Houston-area restaurants answer the call for help amid power and water outage
We remain in the midst of a severe winter weather event. 4: 40 a.m. - Houstonians rush to buy water after boil water advisory issuedHoustonians are rushing to buy water after a boil water advisory was issued. โ County Judge KP George (@JudgeKPGeorge) February 17, 20214:20 a.m. - Houston, Harris County face issues from winter weather alertHouston and Harris County are facing issues from winter weather alerts. AdMondayDowntown Houston lit up during major winter power outageDowntown Houston lit up during major power outage due to winter storm on Feb 15, 2021. Officials said if residents lose power, which sporadic power outage is expected, the safest places to remain is at home.
METRO suspending services beginning Sunday night amid icy conditions
The METRO logo is seen on the side of a bus in Houston on April 19, 2018. HOUSTON โ All METRO services will be suspended Sunday starting at 7 p.m. due to the winter storm impacting the Houston region, the agency announced Saturday night. Services will remain suspended through Tuesday or until conditions improve. METRO HOV/HOT lanes and the METRO RideStore will also be closed. METROโs services will resume only when it is safe to do so, and this may be a gradual return based on weather conditions.
METRO seeing spike in coronavirus cases among workers but most got it away from work, spokesperson says
HOUSTON โ Just like the rest of Houston, METRO is seeing a post-holiday-season spike in employees testing positive for the coronavirus. In the middle of the bustling METRO hub in downtown Houston, you will find Lena Heller who wants to help keep the community safe. Since March of last year, 475 of the roughly 4,000 METRO employees have tested positive. AdOf all the positive cases, 228 of the employees had no contact with the public. Meanwhile, METRO wants its riders to know if theyโve been on a bus or train with a coronavirus-positive rider.
Crash involving METRO police unit shuts down outbound lanes on NW Freeway
HOUSTON โ A crash involving a METRO police unit has shut down the outbound lanes on the Northwest Freeway Friday, police said. Police said the crash happened around 2:10 a.m. on Highway 290 and Barker Cypress. According to investigators, a vehicle hit the METRO police unit while the METRO officer was assisting in traffic control. Officers said both drivers were transported to the hospital. The driver that hit the METRO unit was possibly intoxicated, police said.
Ask 2: How can I get to a voting poll if I donโt have a car?
Question: How can I get to a voting poll if I donโt have a car? Answer: Agencies around town are offering free rides to the polls. The free rides will be offered from Oct. 27-29 and on Nov. 3. BCycleEarly voting is here, and BCycle can get you to your nearest polling location while the lines are still short. Lyft will have 50-percent off one ride up to $10 to any polling location or dropbox using the promo code 2020vote.
By the numbers: Examining disparities within Houstonโs transit system
40% of bus riders donโt have a carAccording to LINK Houstonโs 2018 โEquity in Transitโ report, 40% of local bus riders donโt have a vehicle to help them get around the city. 19% of bus riders use only public transportationThe same report found that 19% of people who ride the bus in Houston are using it as their only mode of transportation. According to a research article titled โRacism has shaped public transit and itโs riddled with inequitiesโ written by Christof Spieler that was published by the Kinder Institute in August, 60% of local bus riders are minority. These services cater to suburban riders -- who drive to a location to catch a bus. Local bus riders have to catch the bus near their home and usually walk to a single stop.
Bye, Bye Beta
HOUSTON โ Rain is the only thing left of Beta and it is moving through the Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. This batch of rain will continue to push into the mid-Atlantic states Friday before moving off shore this weekend. Here is a look at what Beta left behind in Southeast Texas:Heavy Rain with Storm Totals over 12โฒ'! Beta has dropped over a foot of rain in some locations in southern Metro Houston. The heaviest rain fell from Ellington Field and Pearland to west Houston.
Metro PD investigating after man says officers held him on scalding ground for 27 minutes
HOUSTON โ An investigation is underway after a violent encounter between a man and multiple Metro police officers. Metro chief Vera Bumpers says Activist Quanell X told her what happened earlier this week and she started an investigation. Iโm burning, Iโm burning,โโ said Quanell X. Along with Quanell X, Cynthia Pharms and Dr. Candace Matthews with the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats are demanding justice for Morgan. Quanell X shared a graphic photo of Morganโs stomach where he suffered from third degree burning.
Kroger donates food to community hit hard by loss of grocery store
HOUSTON โ Kroger and partners kicked off a grocery donation event Wednesday morning for the community surrounding Jimโs Supermarket, which burned down last month. The partnership is with Kroger, the City of Houston, the Houston Food Bank and METRO to deliver groceries directly to Houstonians in need. โUsually we are in the business of transporting people, but today we are in the business of transporting food to people in need, so we are excited for the opportunity,โ said METROโs Senior Director of Contracted, Paratransit and Micro Transit Services, Art Jackson. Metro vehicles and drivers delivered the groceries directly to the homes of identified families in need. Representatives from Kroger said they are doing a similar grocery donation in the area next month.
ASK 2: When will METRO start charging again?
As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: When will METRO start charging again? Answer: METRO will resume collecting fares for all services beginning Sunday, July 12. For answers to common questions about fares, including fare costs, payment methods, where to buy fares and more please visit METROโs fare collection page. Along with using public transit for only essential trips, customers are reminded seating capacity on all METRO vehicles remains reduced to encourage social distancing.
METRO is adding this new safety feature to protect drivers and riders against COVID-19
METRO continues to add safety measures to protect drivers and riders against COVID-19 and those service updates are to start June 1. Currently, METRO is encouraging riders and drivers to use face coverings and theyโve increased cleaning. Furthermore, they will be installing plastic enclosures for operators on vehicles which serve METROLift customers. The plastic coverings will also be installed in the yellow METROLift taxi cabs. As a reminder, METRO continues to encourage riders to use public transit for only essential trips.
METRO Park & Ride service gradually resumes Monday
Published: May 15, 2020, 9:02 am Updated: May 18, 2020, 11:19 amHOUSTON โ According to the Metro Transit Authority of Harris County, their Park & Ride service will gradually resume Monday, May 18. Now, the service will operate on a limited schedule on select Park & Ride routes connecting riders traveling along all major freeway corridors to downtown. Park and Ride routes serving the Texas Medical Center will continue operating on a regular weekday schedule. Park & Ride - Downtown DestinationsService will operate from 5- 9 a.m. for inbound trips and from 3- 7 p.m. for outbound trips. 291 Conroe Park & Ride will only run 6:30 a.m. inbound and 4:30 p.m. outbound trips.
HERE 2 HELP: From free METRO rides to free oil changes and discounts, how to get around Houston in low-cost ways
To help those affected, we searched for ways they can get around for free or at a low-cost, as well as deals on oil changes for those with vehicles that require maintenance. Discounted transportation faresMETRO offers a 50 percent discount on all bus and light-rail services to students, seniors and disabled residents. Adults 65 and older and people with disabilities can also apply to Harris Countyโs non-emergency transportation program RIDES. The program offers a 50 percent discount on its two service options: Shared Ride and Taxi Service. Free oil change and enhanced cleaning serviceMazda is providing free oil changes and enhanced cleaning services to health care and frontline workers through its Essential Car Care program.
Big changes coming to Post Oak starting in spring 2020
HOUSTON โ Crews started work along Post Oak Boulevard in Uptown in 2016 and now there may be an end in sight. One of the goals was to improve the appearance of Post Oak Boulevard, making it a more walkable environment by widening sidewalks and adding trees. In the end, rail-like buses will run along Post Oak about every ten minutes for most of the day with multiple stops. TxDOT is adding an elevated bus lane from the Northwest Transit Center to Post Oak, expected to be done early next summer. On the southern end, crews are working on a major construction project on Richmond estimated to be done next spring that will link buses to the new Westpark/Lower Uptown Transit Center.
Labor Day edition of Freebie Friday
HOUSTON โ Labor Day edition of Freebie Friday:Free Metro ridesYou can catch a ride on Metro by bus or rail free all Labor Day weekend. Free Houston's Day of YogaHouston's free day of yoga will be Monday, September 2 at the Rothko Chapel Lawn, 1450 Branard St., near Menil Park. Opening music starts at 9 a.m. with free yoga classes running through noon. Free Fireworks at the Waterway Square in the WoodlandsThere will be free fireworks and live music in the Woodlands at Waterway Square, Saturday August 31st. The free haircuts are valued at between $40 to $70.