Over the next few months, bus riders with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will step aboard the transportation agency’s new clean-diesel bus fleet, which are buses equipped with advanced engines and filters to reduce emissions, according to a Feb. 11 news release.

What’s happening?

At least a dozen new, 40-foot buses were released at the start of 2025 equipped with expanded wheelchair accessibility and USB charging ports. METRO’s Vehicle Technology Specialist Robert Kelley said new safety features were added to the fleet.

“Our job is to move the people of the city around and get them where they need to be safely, so we’ve added more cameras to secure the safety of our riders,” Kelley said.

By the end of the rollout period, at least 160 clean-diesel buses will be introduced, along with plans to add 50 compressed natural gas and 100 Park & Ride vehicles. METRO Media Director Lester Gretsch said in an email they are expecting to receive the total fleet of buses by February 2026.

Digging deeper

METRO approved its $1.89 billion budget last September for fiscal year 2024-25, with focused budget shifts on increasing ridership, providing cleaner buses, improving transit services and enhancing public safety. At least $5 million in expenses were allocated towards cameras, video monitoring systems and other safety projects at METRO, according to budget documents.

As previously reported in Community Impact, the shift to ridership focus is what METRO officials are referring to as METRONow—a $173.4 million capital budget investment. Spending on core business activities that include vehicle acquisition and maintenance costs were initiatives introduced with METRO's five-year capital program.