MEDIA ADVISORY AND PRESS RELEASE

Congressman Al Green to Attend Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for METRO’s Universal Accessibility Milestone of 5,000 Improved Bus Stop Facilities

(Houston, TX) — On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Congressman Al Green will attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO). This event will commemorate the milestone of 5,000 bus stops improved under METRO’s Universal Accessibility (UA) program. The event will be held at The Gathering Place, located at 5310 S. Willow Drive, Houston, Texas 77035, starting at 11:00 a.m. CT.

According to METRO, the UA initiative is a multi-year construction program to ensure that bus stops not only meet but exceed the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The program has received $30 million in federal funding and has successfully completed enhancements to 5,000 METRO bus stops to provide safer and more convenient access to services. The program has emphasized upgrading bus stops to improve accessibility for individuals of all ages, sizes, abilities, or disabilities. According to information provided by METRO, upgrading bus stops promotes safe and easy boarding; improving sidewalks offers better walkability and accessibility for individuals in wheelchairs or with strollers; and raising curbs provides added protection for riders from passing vehicles and makes it easier for riders to board and deboard METRO vehicles. 

Congressman Al Green stated, “Ensuring universal accessibility in our public transit system is an important commitment to equality for all passengers. By improving 5,000 bus stops under the METRO UA program, we are not only enhancing the daily commute for all, but also sending the powerful message that accessibility to public transportation is more than just an option, it’s a fundamental right.”

Click here to watch the Facebook Live Stream of the event.