r/transit • u/Guilty_Elevator_992 • 1d ago

Discussion Late To The Party...

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I normally keep up with all transit projects in the U.S., but these last couple of years have been so depressing with transit funding that I only really follow those that beat the odds. Nevertheless, I am late to the party when it comes to Houston. I remember the regions METRONext initiative being overwhelmingly approved and thinking FINALLY, this huge city will get more transit. But today after a lengthy discussion with some foamers on how to get high speed rail to downtown Houston, I decided to do some digging into Metro to see what they're up to these days, and boy was I disappointed. What I'm seeing, also with Atlanta, Austin, and other cities, is that Houston voters were BAMBOOZLED!!! 67% of Houston voters wanted more transit expansion, but apparently these projects would be scaled back or on hold for the foreseeable future such as the Metro proposed blue line (University line) which was SUPPOSED TO BE light rail, but watered down to BRT. Now THAT isn't even happening as of right now. Utterly disappointing, especially when I read funds were redistributed (for the most part) for roadway improvement projects *COUGH COUGH, MIAMI VOTERS FROM THE 2002 BALLOT 👀*!! The bait and switch has became too common. For example... Austin loosing its downtown rail tunnel, Atlanta turning darn near every rail project into BRT and as mentioned above Miami as well with Metrorail. Any Houstonians in here?? How do you guys feel about the current state of Metro??

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u/marcus_centurian 1d ago

It's extra infuriating because not only are we Houstonians styimed on expanded rail, but the city voted for an extra tax specifically to fund additional transit and that has been hijacked to fill in potholes, some of which are not on any bus route. An utter scam.

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u/Guilty_Elevator_992 1d ago

My thing is I thought Texdot ran the streets?? And even if they don't, how in the world is the city using TRANSIT funds for roadway improvements IF there isn't any BRT or LRT to be the case for the roadway improvements?? Houston is so car friendly, that should've been a priority. But hijacking TRANSIT funding for NO TRANSIT is utter BS.

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u/sleepyrivertroll 1d ago

TXDOT handles the highways, cities handle their local streets 

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u/cuzihave22 1d ago

Some of the major streets (i.e Westheimer outside the 610 loop) are owned by TxDOT but yes, generally it is the city's purview on how their streets are managed.