Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Buses

Ridership on the Upswing After Houston’s Bus Network Redesign

Houston's bus system before, on the left and after a complete system redesign on the right.
Houston's bus map before and after a thorough system overhaul.
false

In August, Houston debuted its new bus network, reconfigured to increase frequent service, expand weekend hours, and improve access to jobs.

The implementation was contentious at times, and when we last checked in on the results -- two months after the changes took effect -- bus ridership was down 4 percent overall but up dramatically on weekends. That was to be expected, wrote transit consultant Jarrett Walker, who worked on the project, because it takes some time for people to adjust to changes and familiarize themselves with the new routes.

Now, after just two more months, METRO is reporting that bus ridership has climbed above previous levels. November totals were up 4 percent compared to the previous year.

"The upswing in ridership on the New Bus Network launched on Aug. 16, 2015 is immensely gratifying," said METRO Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia in a press release. "The countless hours of researching routes, community meetings and input, planning changes, and redirecting and training our staff is paying off and we're confident that trend will continue to grow."

In October, Walker said he would expect ridership to increase about 20 percent by two years after the redesign, provided good management by the local transit agency. We'll see, but the returns after just a few months are promising.

These results should be encouraging to cities like Columbus that are considering similar changes.

Metro is also getting ready to roll out a new transfer policy expected to boost ridership more. Previously, riders paying with cash did not get free transfers. Under the new policy, tickets will be good for a free transfer for up to three hours.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Thursday’s Headlines Live to Fight Another Day

Congestion pricing won a major court victory that suggests it's here to stay, and could eventually open the door for other cities to follow New York's lead.

May 29, 2025

Duffy Tells Congress He’s Not Delaying DOT Projects — As He Delays DOT Projects

Thousands of federal transportation grants remain in limbo as the Trump administration cuts staff and cracks down on DEI, bike lanes and environmental rules.

May 29, 2025

Chicago is a world-class city. Our transit system should reflect that. 

Creating a unified transit system across Northeast Illinois will allow us to serve riders' needs now and tomorrow.

May 28, 2025

‘Whether They See It Or Not’: How the ‘Arrested Mobility’ of Black Americans Harms Everyone

"Policy could be the decision to invest in a community, or to disinvest [in that community]. In Black, brown, low-income communities, the policy has been disinvestment."

May 28, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Look for a Bailout

Congress's latest Band-Aid for the Federal Highway Trust Fund won't keep it solvent, but it will hurt transit.

May 28, 2025

Doug Gordon Takes on John Mulaney’s ‘Entitled’ and Humorless Anti-Bike Insanity

Why do New Yorkers feel the need to prove their "street cred" by hating on bicycles when it is, in fact, cars that have ruined this city?

May 27, 2025
See all posts