Houston leaders unveil 'Metro Now' plan to boost safety, reliability and ridership

Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, chair of Metro's board, and Mayor John Whitmire on the same day unveiled “Metro Now,” a package of initiatives to address safety, cleanliness, reliability and ridership across Houston’s public transit network.

The announcement, presented at a city press event with Metro board members and city officials, lays out a mix of operational changes, equipment purchases and partnerships aimed at restoring rider confidence and expanding first- and last-mile connections. "We are calling this set of initiatives, Metro Now," Brock said, adding that the program prioritizes increasing ridership and improving customer experience.

The plan includes new public-safety measures and staffing changes, an immediate commitment of funds to homeless services tied to transit sites, investments in major road corridors and traffic relief, and a range of service- and technology-focused steps. Brock said Metro will "appoint a new police chief" and coordinate deployments with the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office…