Current situation
METRO’s new perforated bus shelters are currently in the pilot testing phase, with 12 of them installed in the Gulfton area. According to the release, traditional METRO bus shelters typically have 10-12 side panels. With the new design, perforated panels will allow more airflow while still providing coverage for the bus shelter.
“By designing bus shelters that prioritize heat protection and weather resilience, we’re not only improving the rider experience but also investing in a more reliable, accessible transit system,” METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock said in the release. “These shelters will help keep our community safer and more comfortable during extreme weather while supporting long-term ridership growth and sustainability in the Gulfton community.”
- Gulfton Drive and Chimney Rock Road
- Gulfton Drive and Rampart Street
- Gulfton Drive and Renwick Drive
- Gulfton Drive and Alder Drive
- Gulfton Drive and Westward Street
- Hillcroft Avenue and Gulfton Drive
- Bonhomme Road and Clarewood Drive
- Fondren Road and Bellerive Drive
- Kirby Drive and Westpark Drive
- Hillcroft Avenue and Clarewood Drive
- Hillcroft Avenue and Dashwood Drive
- Hillcroft Avenue and Bellaire Boulevard
Why it matters
METRO pointed to a recent heat mapping campaign by the Houston Harris Heat Action Team, a project started in 2020 to measure the temperature and humidity in Harris County on a hot summer day. Results showed that Gulfton is one of several neighborhoods experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures in these areas reaching up to 14 degrees higher than in the city’s coolest neighborhoods.
“We know how important it is for our customers to be comfortable while waiting for the bus, not just in terms of temperature, but also safety, cleanliness and seating,” said Kenneth Brown, METRO’s director of service enhancements. “Our chair and our CEO are both committed to getting this right, and we’re going to keep working until we do.”
