Houston METRO marks a decade of service

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Houston METRO celebrated 10 years of successful light-rail service on the Main Street Line January 1, 2014.

 

“The success of the Main Street Line validates the importance rail plays in the city’s transportation landscape,” said METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia. “It has been and continues to be a reliable means for customers to get to work, school, medical care, museums, sporting events and conferences and our city’s world famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and more.”

There has been nearly $4 billion in public/private development from 2004 to 2011 along the 7.5-mile line. At Main and Congress, several bars and restaurants have since opened their doors. And more recently, there is residential activity near Bell Station and other projects in the works near the ballpark and in Midtown.

“The Main Street transformation has been one of many challenges and rewards,” said Tom Lambert, interim METRO president and chief executive officer. “The development that occurred after light-rail was built and the development that is happening today, shows growth and promise of a downtown that’s better connected and more walkable.”

Houston METRO’s Main Street Line crossed 50-, 75- and 100-million boardings four years ahead of schedule. These achievements were reached with only 18 rail cars.

Houston METRO now has 37 rail cars and nearly 13 miles of track with the recent opening of the North Line, a 5.3-mile extension of the Main Street Line, December 21, 2013.Two more light-rail lines, East End (Green) and Southeast (Purple), will open for service in 2014.

 

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