HOUSTON, TX — Houston METRO riders using the Red Line should plan ahead this weekend as rail service between Downtown Transit Center and Fannin South Park & Ride will be interrupted on September 26 and 27 for essential system maintenance.
The service change affects an important stretch of the Red Line used by commuters, Texas Medical Center workers, students, downtown visitors and people traveling toward the NRG area.
But riders are not being left without public transportation.
According to METRO, shuttle buses will replace the train service between Downtown Transit Center and Fannin South, running approximately every 10 minutes.
What should riders do?
If you normally take the Red Line through the affected section, allow extra travel time and follow signs for the replacement shuttle service at stations.
Riders who have appointments, work shifts or other time-sensitive plans should consider leaving earlier than usual. Shuttle buses can take longer than trains because of road traffic and passenger boarding.
Another option: Use METRO buses
Depending on your starting point and destination, riders may be able to use METRO’s local or Park & Ride bus network instead of the affected rail segment.
METRO recommends using its Trip Planner and RideMETRO app to check routes, schedules and service alerts before leaving home.
The Texas Medical Center Transit Center is also an important transfer point for riders traveling around the Medical Center and connecting to other METRO services.
What about driving?
For people who have access to a car, driving or carpooling may be another temporary option, particularly if the destination is difficult to reach by bus.
However, riders should check traffic conditions before leaving, especially around Downtown, the Texas Medical Center and the NRG area.
Another possibility is to park at a METRO facility and continue the journey by bus or another transit connection, depending on the destination.
Do you need to travel at all?
For people making a non-essential trip, changing the timing of the trip — or postponing it until regular Red Line service resumes — could be the simplest option.
But for workers, medical appointments and other essential travel, there is no need to stay home simply because the Red Line is interrupted. METRO is providing replacement shuttle service, and other bus connections remain available.
A simple weekend travel checklist
Before leaving home:
- Check the METRO service alert.
- Use the RideMETRO app or Trip Planner.
- Leave earlier than usual.
- Look for Red Line replacement shuttle signs.
- Consider a METRO bus, carpool or driving if practical.
- If your trip is not urgent, consider traveling at another time.
METRO also allows riders to subscribe to free service alerts by text or email. Riders can text their route number to 713713 to receive alerts for that route.
For questions, METRO customer service can be reached at 713-635-4000.
For Houston residents, the key message this weekend is simple: don’t head to the station assuming the train will operate normally — check before you travel and build extra time into your journey.
