Metro officials say the new plan for the Iner Katy Project addresses more immediate needs by replacing dedicated bus lanes with HOV lanes.
The Harris County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is backpedaling on plans to add dedicated bus lanes as part of its Inner Katy Project, opting instead for high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.
As Janet Miranda explains in the Houston Chronicle, “The new project tweaks the two elevated bus-only lanes to be built adjacent to the freeway into HOV lanes as part of the agency's push for "METRONow" initiatives. The change seems to prioritize car drivers first, leaving bus riders out of the equation, at least at first.” The project still includes high-speed bus stations along the HOV lanes.
The agency defended the decision by saying “It is our responsibility to the greater Houston area to focus on mobility solutions that prioritize ridership, provide services that are useful, and address community needs that exist now.” Although voters approved a plan called METRONext in 2019 that calls for 75 miles of BRT across the city, the agency is dubbing its new plan METRONow, saying it more closely aligns with current needs.
The city has been ‘quietly shelving’ multimodal projects including the University BRT line and bike lanes on McGowen, prompting an outcry from mobility and road safety advocates.
FULL STORY: METRO's Inner Katy Line project scraps bus-only lanes for HOV lanes
Making Space for Buses
In Houston, transit officials are working to balance plans for a new bus rapid transit line with existing street trees and traffic lanes.
Madison BRT a Midwest Rarity
Despite the benefits, just three Midwestern cities have bus rapid transit lines.
Bus Lanes as Traffic Calming
Dedicated bus lanes on busy arterials can act as traffic calming mechanisms to reduce speeding.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.
How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service