Tag Archives: light rail

Metro still has unresolved issues

Posted on May 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

With the FTA and its Buy American requirements. A central issue in a federal investigation of the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s compliance with “Buy America” regulations remained unresolved after meetings in Washington, Metro board Chairman Gilbert Garcia said on Thursday. Plans … Continue reading →

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DART may take a big step back

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Dallas Area Rapid Transit, which has built out a much more extensive rail network than Metro and which has plans for a lot more, may instead scrap most of those plans due to serious financial issues. Final decisions are months … Continue reading →

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It’s always something

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good news for Metro. The “forensic accounting review” by UHY Advisors examined all business expense reports submitted to Metro by its chief executive, Frank Wilson, and chief of staff, Joanne Wright. Both joined Metro in May 2004; Wilson previously was … Continue reading →

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Firing Frank

Posted on April 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Annise Parker has said she wants the new Metro board to fire Frank Wilson, the agency’s CEO. So why hasn’t that happened yet? There are a couple of complicating factors. Among them are uncertainty about the outcome of two … Continue reading →

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Metro and the FTA

Posted on April 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I didn’t see this KHOU story, in which a regular Metro critic claims that the agency deliberately gave outdated sales tax revenue information to the Federal Transit Administration in order to get $900 million in federal money for the North … Continue reading →

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Spieler on commuter rail

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the Offcite blog: Wednesday, Mayor Annise Parker gave Christof Spieler, Chair of the Cite editorial committee, a big hug after swearing him in as a Metro board member. A picture of their embrace landed on page B3 of Thursday’s … Continue reading →

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What’s the deal with parking?

Posted on April 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Andrew Burleson attended the first community meeting to discuss possible changes to the city’s parking requirements, and gives a report on what was discussed. He also has a nice discussion on the economics of parking, which one hopes will have … Continue reading →

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The state of the city 2010

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker gave her first State of the City address today before the Greater Houston Partnership. Here are a few highlights from her address, which you can read as written here. We don’t know everything that lies ahead. The pressures … Continue reading →

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Mayor talks Metro and money

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The new Metro board was confirmed by City Council last week, they were sworn in yesterday, and while we don’t yet know exactly what direction they’re going to take, we know what their marching orders are. Mayor Annise Parker says … Continue reading →

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More of the case against eliminating fares

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Keep Houston Houston gives a wide-ranging argument against Metro eliminating fares as some folks have advocated. His last reason resonates with me: People don’t value what they don’t pay for It’s a pretty simple concept, really. Removing fares shifts the … Continue reading →

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David Wolff’s farewell message

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Outgoing Metro chair David Wolff takes to the op-ed pages to present a more positive view of his agency and his tenure. While much had been accomplished by previous hard working boards, we inherited an aging bus fleet, a very … Continue reading →

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Dynamo Stadium deal finally struck

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Took ’em long enough. The city of Houston and Harris County have struck a potential deal on a new stadium for the Houston Dynamo and Texas Southern University’s football team, agreeing to jointly pay for $20 million in infrastructure upgrades … Continue reading →

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The tasks before the new Metro board

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The new Metro board has its work cut out for it. Gilbert Garcia, the financial analyst nominated by Mayor Annise Parker Thursday as Metro’s new board chairman, said the controversies won’t prevent him and his colleagues from proceeding diligently with … Continue reading →

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Metro approves study of Fort Bend commuter rail line

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In the last act for several Metro board members, we get a step forward on another commuter rail line. Moving to extend Metro’s reach into Fort Bend County, the agency’s board agreed Thursday to spend up to $500,000 on environmental … Continue reading →

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The transition team report on Metro

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to naming new Metro board members, today was the day for Mayor Parker’s transition team to give its report on Metro. Here’s the Chron story about their report. I’m going to focus on one piece of it: [James] … Continue reading →

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Parker reaffirms commitment to light rail

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is what I want to see. [Mayor Annise] Parker’s letter regarding this week’s Metro board meeting was sent on the eve of her trip to Washington, where she said she would reassure U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that her … Continue reading →

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The Hempstead line

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s another story about progress on a proposed commuter rail line, this one out US 290. A study to determine ridership on the line, which would go as far west as Hempstead, will be done. The Houston-based engineering firm Klotz … Continue reading →

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More on Metro’s finances

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron takes a closer look at Metro’s finances and the recently expressed doubts about their ability to pay for the University and Uptown lines. Mayor Annise Parker said last week that she wasn’t convinced the Metropolitan Transit Authority would … Continue reading →

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Sneak peek at new light rail stations

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

With all the allegations of naughty emails and debates over whether or not the two U lines will get built, it may be hard to remember that we do have three light rail lines in the works. We’re still a … Continue reading →

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Galveston County transportation district

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Well, at least somebody is moving forward with rail plans. The creation of a Galveston County urban and rural transit district would potentially pull together all 13 municipalities in the county, providing a single voice to negotiate with Houston Metro, … Continue reading →

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Interview with David Wolff

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

David Wolff has been the Chair of the Metro Board since 2004. He will be stepping down as soon as Mayor Parker names a replacement for him. With all that’s been going on regarding Metro in the news lately, I … Continue reading →

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All your empty lots are belong to HEB

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The empty lot that once housed the Wilshire Village apartments will be bought by HEB. Cyndy Garza-Roberts, director of public affairs for H-E-B, said the company is studying the feasibility of the acquisition and didn’t have an estimated closing date. … Continue reading →

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Uptown agitation

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A bunch of business owners along a proposed light rail corridor are upset with Metro. Business owners along Post Oak Boulevard met for about two hours Thursday in an effort learn about … Continue reading →

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Mayor and Metro spar over fares

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Soon-to-be-former Metro Chair David Wolff has sent a letter to Mayor Parker in response to her recent comments about possibly reducing fares as a way of increasing ridership. Eliminating fares on Metro buses and trains, as Mayor Annise Parker recently … Continue reading →

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More FTA funds for North and Southeast lines

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From Houston Tomorrow: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released its recommendations for the President’s FY2011 Budget, which include $75 million each for Houston’s North (pdf) andSoutheast Light Rail Lines (pdf), continuing the funding that began in the previous year. The Metropolitan Transit … Continue reading →

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Bikes on trains action alert

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via email from Peter Wang: Thursday, February 11, 2:00 pm Support Bikes on Trains at the Houston Transportation Committee Meeting. If you ride in Houston, please attend this important meeting! Houston-area cyclists- This Thursday, February 11, the Houston City Council … Continue reading →

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The Mayor on Metro

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, one of Mayor Annise Parker’s transition teams is looking at Metro. We won’t get their report till the end of the month, but here’s a peek at some of the things they’re thinking about. Parker has signaled … Continue reading →

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San Antonio to seek federal funds for streetcar system

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Another step forward for San Antonio’s quest to lose its title as the most populous city in America without rail transit. VIA Metropolitan Transit’s trustees on Tuesday approved the routes for a streetcar system and directed agency staff to seek … Continue reading →

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Austin’s rail service to get started in March

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Austin’s long-awaited rail service, which was approved by the voters in 2004, is finally ready to roll. After what seems like endless series of problems and delays, Cap Metro has announced that light rail service will begin in March. Service … Continue reading →

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Bellaire versus Westpark Stadium

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Still more on the proposed Westpark location for Dynamo Stadium: The Mayor of Bellaire doesn’t like the idea. [Bellaire Mayor Cindy] Siegel has scheduled an executive session of the Bellaire City Council Monday following the 7 p.m. State of the … Continue reading →

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Expanding Metro

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Soon-to-be-former Metro Chair David Wolff riffs off of a Chron editorial that lamented the lack of connectivity between Metro and some new bus routes in Harris County and makes the case for expanding Metro’s service area. The first steps toward … Continue reading →

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The Dynamo contemplate their options

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Is the future of Dynamo Stadium on Westpark? Could be. Dynamo President Oliver Luck is in talks with a developer about building a soccer stadium on private land about a mile south of the Galleria. The Dynamo have not abandoned … Continue reading →

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University Line FEIS filed

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Again via Swamplot, here’s another Examiner story about the current state of light rail construction, in this case the University line. The light rail alignment for Metro’s University route will require the acquisition of about 23 acres of land, much … Continue reading →

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Uptown line update

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The River Oaks Examiner takes a look at what Metro is planning to do to prepare for the Uptown line. [A] Metropolitan Transit Authority street reclassification plan, dated March 13, 2009, [shows] total land needed for the project beyond the … Continue reading →

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