METRO’s free, on-demand electrical shuttle service has expanded to Houston’s Close to Northside neighborhood, with service there launching Monday.
The “Neighborhood Connector” initiative launched as a pilot program within the Third Ward in 2023. It has since expanded to the Second Ward and the Heights together with the downtown space.
The micro-transit service permits residents to request short-distance rides in low-speed electrical automobiles by utilizing an app on their telephones to get to locations equivalent to grocery shops, physician’s appointments and different public transit choices.
Chelsey Trahan, a spokesperson for METRO, stated it has 18 automobiles throughout all service zones with the objective in thoughts to enhance high quality of life and supply better entry to assets.
“We’re making an attempt to attach our group,” Trahan stated. “We perceive that the town is rising quickly. We’ve to search out progressive methods to develop, and this has been a method to assist folks to not solely get to our providers however to journey all through the group.”
For the reason that service launched, the Neighborhood Connector program has had greater than 36,000 riders, in accordance with METRO. The electrical shuttles function from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday by Friday. Customers can request rides by the Experience Circuit app.
METRO, the Houston area’s public transit supplier, stated it’s investing $10 million in micro-transit choices for the 2025 fiscal yr. The Neighborhood Connector program is a partnership with nonprofit Evolve Houston to offer a method for folks to get round their communities and join with different transit providers.
“I applaud METRO for listening to the wants of Houstonians and guests to our metropolis and responding with good, community-focused options,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated in an announcement. “This new Northside service is one other instance of how METRO continues to offer secure, clear, and dependable mobility choices. Modern micro transit like this helps strengthen neighborhoods by connecting folks to alternative, and I commend METRO for main the best way.”
