This grant will fund the purchase of buses to replace and retire older buses in the metro fleet with new buses and effectively lower emissions

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority) $149.701844 million under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on April 17, 2026, to purchase buses that replace and retire older buses from the Metro fleet while reducing emissions.

The funding supports Metro's bus fleet replacement project, which will retire aging vehicles and procure newer, more reliable buses. The upgraded fleet will lower repair and parts costs associated with aging buses and improve overall service dependability. Primary beneficiaries include Metro riders who will receive more reliable and safer service, Metro operations and maintenance staff who will benefit from a less costly and time-consuming fleet to maintain, and the broader Houston region, which will gain improved mobility, reduced congestion, and better access to jobs, healthcare, and other essential services.

The award carries a period of performance through April 24, 2026, with place of performance in Texas. No subrecipient activities are associated with this award.

Activities

This funding will be used to purchase buses.

Expected outcomes

Primary beneficiaries include metro riders who will enjoy more reliable and safer service; metros operations and maintenance staff who will have a more dependable fleet that is less costly and time-consuming to maintain; and the broader region which will benefit from improved mobility reduced congestion and better access to jobs healthcare and other essential services.

Intended beneficiaries

Funds from this grant will support metros bus fleet replacement project retiring older buses and replacing them with newer more reliable vehicles. Upgrading the fleet will reduce the frequent repair and parts costs associated with aging buses and improve overall service dependability.