METRO is requesting New Starts monies to fund the North and Southeast light-rail projects.

Title VI was enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. METRO, as with other transit agencies, is required to submit its Title VI program to the FTA every three years.

"We recognize and appreciate the efforts that Houston METRO has made in response to the report's findings," wrote Cheryl L. Hershey, director of the FTA Office of Civil Rights, in a September 22, 2009 letter. "Amongst the many actions taken, Houston METRO has developed a limited English proficiency program, analyzed service and fare changes to ensure reductions would not be disproportionately borne by predominantly minority communities."