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    Houston Metro Board approves agency-wide commitment to a more sustainable future

    Aug. 27, 2021
    The vision statement includes a series of environmentally sustainable initiatives and investments, including the adoption of a 100 percent zero-emission bus replacement goal by 2030.
    Related To: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro)
    Houston Metro
    Houston Metro has already moved forward with the purchase of 20 full-size electric buses
    Houston Metro has already moved forward with the purchase of 20 full-size electric buses

    The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) Board of Directors has adopted the authority's first Sustainability Vision Statement. 

    The vision statement includes a series of environmentally sustainable initiatives and investments, including the adoption of a 100 percent zero-emission bus replacement goal by 2030 and the development of an agency-wide climate action plan. Staff will present the climate action plan for board approval no later than January 2022. 

    Specifically, the objectives in the vision statement include: 

    • Shifting to procuring only zero-emission buses by Fiscal Year 2030.  
    • Managing operations to avoid or minimize environmental impacts on the health and safety of the employees.  
    • Applying green principles to the design and management of its facilities.   
    • Collaborating with other organizations to achieve shared environmental goals.   
    • Developing an agency-wide climate action plan to achieve the objectives of the sustainability vision state.   

    Houston Metro has already moved forward with the purchase of 20 full-size electric buses and 10 paratransit vans and has applied for federal grants through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program to fund the $25 million purchase of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure.  

    The authority will also explore the use of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. 

    The move toward procuring more environmentally friendly vehicles also focuses on improving equity and accessibility. Initial routes will serve communities designated in the city of Houston’s Complete Communities program and disproportionately impacted by carbon emissions.  

    Houston Metro says it is one of 69 public transit organizations nationwide that has stepped up to the FTAs Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge launched in June. Participating organizations have committed to taking bold actions and investments to support a goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.