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Restructuring - moved crash + funding controvs to...controv sect. Criticism of Chronicle's role is already in that wikipage, where it belongs (if anywhere). Obscure local nicknames by single fringe group are not NPOV, not notable - deleted.
Tag: references removed
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==History==
==History==

This line was built after an approximately 20-year battle.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/01/01/life.train.reut/index.html</ref> Several groups sued to stop contruction, claiming that the METRO organization was a "private business" and subject to Houston City Charter provisions regulating business use of its streets; <ref>http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm</ref> they obtained 2 temporary injunctions in January 2001, which were reversed by appeals court on March 9, 2001.<ref>http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm</ref>
This line was built after an approximately 20-year battle.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/01/01/life.train.reut/index.html</ref> Several groups sued to stop contruction, claiming that the METRO organization was a "private business" and subject to Houston City Charter provisions regulating business use of its streets; <ref>http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm</ref> they obtained 2 temporary injunctions in January 2001, which were reversed by appeals court on March 9, 2001.<ref>http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm</ref>


Ground was broken on this line on March 13, 2001. <ref>http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Light-rail-stations-closer-to-getting-names-2078497.php</ref> The opening of METRORail on January 1, 2004, came 64 years after the previous [[tram|streetcar]] system had been shut down.<ref>"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3722239 MAIN STREET LIGHT RAIL / New ride for the new year / Festivals mark inaugural day for Metro train]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 1, 2004.</ref> The cost was $325 million <ref>http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou005.htm</ref> Houston was the largest city in the United States without a rail system after the 1990 opening of the [[LACMTA Blue Line|Blue Line]] in [[Los Angeles]].
Ground was broken on this line on March 13, 2001. <ref>http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Light-rail-stations-closer-to-getting-names-2078497.php</ref> The opening of METRORail on January 1, 2004, came 64 years after the previous [[tram|streetcar]] system had been shut down.<ref>"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3722239 MAIN STREET LIGHT RAIL / New ride for the new year / Festivals mark inaugural day for Metro train]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 1, 2004.</ref> The cost was $325 million <ref>http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou005.htm</ref> Houston was the largest city in the United States without a rail system after the 1990 opening of the [[LACMTA Blue Line|Blue Line]] in [[Los Angeles]].


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The ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' was accused of bias designed to promote METRORail after the accidental posting of an internal memorandum on its website that urged the making of "rail a permanent part of the transit mix" in Houston through news, editorial, and op-ed columns.<ref name="Houston_Chronicle-memo">{{cite web|date = November 20, 2002|url = http://www.houstonpress.com/webextra/2002-12-05/hostage.html|title = A Houston odyssey: DeLay, Lanier and light rail|publisher = ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''|accessdate = 2006-05-16}}</ref> It included a proposal of attacking the finances of critics to light rail such as U.S. Rep. [[Tom DeLay]] and former Houston Mayor [[Bob Lanier (politician)|Bob Lanier]].<ref name="Houston_Press">{{cite news|first = Richard|last = Connelly|url = http://www.houstonpress.com/Issues/2002-12-05/news/hostage.html|title = Internal Distress|publisher = [[Houston Press]]|date = December 5, 2002|accessdate = 2006-05-16}}</ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}} Bob Lanier stopped an earlier rail plan (for commuter rail) in 1991;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/13/us/houston-journal-legal-fight-stalls-a-city-s-plan-for-light-rail-relief.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=Houston Journal; Legal Fight Stalls a City's Plan for Light-Rail Relief - New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2001-02-13 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>
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Since its inception, METRORail has been the source of political controversy. During the 2003 expansion referendum, critics of the system (including Texans for True Mobility) criticized METRO for spending public funds for "educational advertisements" about the proposed system, which critics claimed promote the referendum.<ref name="TTM1">[http://web.archive.org/web/20040315163934/http://www.texansfortruemobility.com/press_news22.shtml The METRO Money Train]</ref>{{Dead link|date=January 2012}}


Tom Delay strongly opposed contruction of the METRORAIL line and twice blocked federal funding for the system in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/01/01/life.train.reut/index.html |title=Trains finally roll in Houston rail system - Jan. 1, 2004 |publisher=CNN.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Thus the Metrorail was built without any federal funding until November 2011 when a $900 million grant was approved for expansions. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8446939 |title=METRO to get $900 million in federal funds for light rail expansion projects &#124; abc13.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2011-11-28 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>
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The main [[political action committee]] (PAC) supporting the bond was accused of having a conflict of interest because it received over [[United States dollar|US$]]100,000 in contributions from contractors and equipment suppliers for METRORail who stood to gain financially from its expansion.<ref name="TTM1" />{{Dead link|date=January 2012}} This includes a [[United States dollar|US$]]50,000 donation from [[Siemens AG]], the corporation which built METRORail's original 18 trains.

⚫
The ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' was accused of bias designed to promote METRORail after the accidental posting of an internal memorandum on its website that urged the making of "rail a permanent part of the transit mix" in Houston through news, editorial, and op-ed columns.<ref name="Houston_Chronicle-memo">{{cite web|date = November 20, 2002|url = http://www.houstonpress.com/webextra/2002-12-05/hostage.html|title = A Houston odyssey: DeLay, Lanier and light rail|publisher = ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''|accessdate = 2006-05-16}}</ref> It included a "ground zero for November" proposal of attacking the finances of groups and individuals opposed to light rail, specifically, then U.S. Rep. [[Tom DeLay]] and former Houston Mayor [[Bob Lanier (politician)|Bob Lanier]].<ref name="Houston_Press">{{cite news|first = Richard|last = Connelly|url = http://www.houstonpress.com/Issues/2002-12-05/news/hostage.html|title = Internal Distress|publisher = [[Houston Press]]|date = December 5, 2002|accessdate = 2006-05-16}}</ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}} Bob Lanier stopped an earlier rail plan (for commuter rail) in 1991;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/13/us/houston-journal-legal-fight-stalls-a-city-s-plan-for-light-rail-relief.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=Houston Journal; Legal Fight Stalls a City's Plan for Light-Rail Relief - New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2001-02-13 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Tom Delay strongly opposed contruction of the METRORAIL line and twice blocked federal funding for the system in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/01/01/life.train.reut/index.html |title=Trains finally roll in Houston rail system - Jan. 1, 2004 |publisher=CNN.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Thus the Metrorail was built without any federal funding until November 2011 when a $900 million grant was approved for expansions. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8446939 |title=METRO to get $900 million in federal funds for light rail expansion projects &#124; abc13.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2011-11-28 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>

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For a full year before the Metrorail system's opening, a program to prepare drivers to share Houston streets with the Metrorail trains was conducted, consisting of driver safety classes, community forums, and public service announcements.<ref>{{cite web|last=Howlett |first=Debbie |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-07-houston-rail_x.htm |title=Houston's crash course in light rail |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date=2004-03-23 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> However, in the beginning of METRORail's operation, the line averaged 11 crashes per track mile per year, compared with the national average of 0.55 for similar rail systems. Critics gave the line derisive local nicknames.<ref name="gaver">{{cite web
⚫
|last = Gaver
⚫
|first = John
⚫
|title = The Wham-Bam-Tram
⚫
|url = http://www.actionamerica.org/houston/whambamtram.html
⚫
|date=2004-03-18
⚫
|publisher = Action America
⚫
|accessdate = 2007-10-25
⚫
}}</ref> METRO has consistently blamed driver error as the cause of the high collision rate and the transit agency's police department regularly tickets motorists who cross paths with the train. METRO also argued that an independent panel of transportation experts at [[Texas A&M University]] issued a report in 2004 finding no fundamental flaws with the Metrorail system, although this report did recommend minor adjustments to signal timing and signage.<ref>{{cite web|author=LUCAS WALL, Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/Report-Rail-design-not-to-blame-for-vehicle-1675945.php |title=Report: Rail design not to blame for vehicle accidents - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2004-03-09 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> For accidents occurring during almost the first year and half of operation, the METRO and its police have blamed all but one on pedestrians getting too close to the tracks or motorists making illegal turns or running red lights. <ref name="chron1">{{cite web|author=RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/topstory/3176719.html |title=Video shows train had green light in fatal crash - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-05-10 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Red light running is the main cause downtown, whereas near the Texas Medical Center illegal turns are the main cause.<ref>{{cite web|author=RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3305361.html |title=Car, lightrail collide in 100th accident involving train - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-08-10 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Some of the people involved in the crashes have claimed that poor signage and signal layouts have contributed to the problem. Critics argue that such a high rate of driver error must be attributable to an environment conducive to it.<ref name="gaver"/> Critics have also noted the fact that the system is at-grade,<ref name="chron1"/> while supporters contend that lack of federal funding due to political opposition made construction of a grade separated rail line unfeasible. <ref name="lightrailnow1">{{cite web|url=http://www.lightrailnow.org/features/f_hou_2005-01.htm |title=Houston Light Rail - Houston's Drivers Are Awful! - Houston motor vehicle accidents |publisher=Lightrailnow.org |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Supporters of the METRO also claim that the Main Street corrider that the train travels upon had a high accident rate even before the METRORail entered service.<ref name="lightrailnow1"/> METRO has rearranged some signals and altered some sign arrangements to try to make things clearer.<ref>{{cite news
⚫
| last = Sallee
⚫
| first = Rad
⚫
| title = Pavement signals will flash at 2 trouble spots
⚫
| publisher = [[Houston Chronicle]]
⚫
| date=2006-03-12
⚫
| url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/moveit/3718962.html
⚫
| accessdate = 2007-10-25
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}}</ref> These new signal arrangements decreased the accident rate to a fourth of its former level by August 2005, approximately 20 months after opening. <ref>{{cite web|author=RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3305361.html |title=Car, lightrail collide in 100th accident involving train - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-08-10 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Sociology and urban studies professor Stephen Klineberg argues that the high rate of crashes in Houston is attributable to the high rate of automobile driving and low rate of walking in Houston.<ref>{{cite web|last=Howlett |first=Debbie |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-07-houston-rail_x.htm |title=Houston's crash course in light rail |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date=2004-03-23 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>


In spite of the opposition of some groups to the Metrorail, surveys conducted by Stephen Klineberg and [[Rice University]] have shown consistent increases in support of rail transport and decreases in support for bigger and better roads/highways in the Houston metropolitan area in recent years.<ref name="houstontomorrow1">{{cite web|author=Wendy Natt, Apr 22, 09. |url=http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/28th-houston-area-shows-mass-transit-growing-as-preferred-solution/ |title=Survey shows strong support for transit |publisher=Houston Tomorrow |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridemetro.org/News/Publications/Connections/2009/mc0409-public-opinion.aspx |title=METRO Connections 2009 |publisher=Ridemetro.org |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref><ref name="esciencenews1">{{cite web|url=http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/04/20/houstonians.more.positive.about.city.despite.economic.woes.annual.survey.finds |title=Houstonians more positive about city despite economic woes, annual survey finds |publisher=e! Science News |date=2009-04-20 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Klineberg considers these changes a "paradigm shift" or "sea change" on attitudes towards mass transit.<ref name="esciencenews1"/><ref name="houstontomorrow1"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Houston Business Journal |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/04/20/daily4.html?page=all |title=Houstonians say there’s no place like home, survey finds - Houston Business Journal |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date=2009-04-20 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>
In spite of the opposition of some groups to the Metrorail, surveys conducted by Stephen Klineberg and [[Rice University]] have shown consistent increases in support of rail transport and decreases in support for bigger and better roads/highways in the Houston metropolitan area in recent years.<ref name="houstontomorrow1">{{cite web|author=Wendy Natt, Apr 22, 09. |url=http://www.houstontomorrow.org/livability/story/28th-houston-area-shows-mass-transit-growing-as-preferred-solution/ |title=Survey shows strong support for transit |publisher=Houston Tomorrow |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridemetro.org/News/Publications/Connections/2009/mc0409-public-opinion.aspx |title=METRO Connections 2009 |publisher=Ridemetro.org |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref><ref name="esciencenews1">{{cite web|url=http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/04/20/houstonians.more.positive.about.city.despite.economic.woes.annual.survey.finds |title=Houstonians more positive about city despite economic woes, annual survey finds |publisher=e! Science News |date=2009-04-20 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Klineberg considers these changes a "paradigm shift" or "sea change" on attitudes towards mass transit.<ref name="esciencenews1"/><ref name="houstontomorrow1"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Houston Business Journal |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/04/20/daily4.html?page=all |title=Houstonians say there’s no place like home, survey finds - Houston Business Journal |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date=2009-04-20 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>
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==Controversies==
==Controversies==
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In November 2007, local NBC station, [[KPRC-TV|KPRC Local 2]], reported that METRORail did not respond to disabled patrons, resulting in one being stranded on the rails. According to KPRC, nothing was done after 3 years of complaints, save for a new sign on METRORail trains that explained that the priority seats for the disabled flip up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/14481196/detail.html |title=Handicapped Riders Complain About METRORail - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2007-11-01 |accessdate=2011-04-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080103051621/http://www.click2houston.com/news/14481196/detail.html|archivedate=3 January 2008}}</ref>


===Crashes===
The METRO agency was accused of document shredding in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/22668109/detail.html |title=METRO Accused Of Shredding Documents - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2010-02-25 |accessdate=2011-04-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100227034135/http://www.click2houston.com/news/22668109/detail.html|archivedate=27 February 2010}}</ref> This led to an investigation by the Harris County District Attorney,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/22674951/detail.html |title=Mayor Calls For METRO Investigation - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2010-02-25 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}} followed by a seizing of documents by investigators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/23093456/detail.html |title=Documents Seized From METRO - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2010-04-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100411074801/http://www.click2houston.com/news/23093456/detail.html|archivedate=11 April 2010}}</ref> Mayor [[Annise Parker]] replaced five members on METRO's board in order to move ahead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6922749.html |title=All aboard: Mayor’s reshaping of Metro is off to a promising start &#124; Editorial &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-03-20 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> CEO Frank Wilson resigned in May and the case was settled by June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=&nbsp;&nbsp; |url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7473000 |title=METRO, attorney to settle document destruction lawsuit &#124; abc13.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2010-06-01 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> METRO was acquitted of any wrong doing on July 27, 2010 by the Harris County District Attorney.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Brian |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7126768.html |title=Harris DA clears Metro of document shredding &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-07-27 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> However, Mayor Parker asked for further investigation, which showed that there were no records of METRO committee meeting decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7618742 |title=METRO releasing results of external review into document shredding and other policies &#124; abc13.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2010-08-19 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Michael Reed argued that METRO had been deteriorating financially under Frank Wilson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloghouston.net/item/8519 |title=Examiner's Reed on METRO's deteriorating finances (blogHOUSTON - The Stream) |publisher=blogHOUSTON |date=2010-08-18 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
⚫
For a full year before the Metrorail system's opening, a program to prepare drivers to share Houston streets with the Metrorail trains was conducted, consisting of driver safety classes, community forums, and public service announcements.<ref>{{cite web|last=Howlett |first=Debbie |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-07-houston-rail_x.htm |title=Houston's crash course in light rail |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date=2004-03-23 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> However, in the beginning of METRORail's operation, the line averaged 11 crashes per track mile per year, compared with the national average of 0.55 for similar rail systems. Critics gave the line derisive local nicknames.<ref name="gaver">{{cite web
⚫
|last = Gaver
⚫
|first = John
⚫
|title = The Wham-Bam-Tram
⚫
|url = http://www.actionamerica.org/houston/whambamtram.html
⚫
|date=2004-03-18
⚫
|publisher = Action America
⚫
|accessdate = 2007-10-25
⚫
}}</ref> METRO has consistently blamed driver error as the cause of the high collision rate and the transit agency's police department regularly tickets motorists who cross paths with the train. METRO also argued that an independent panel of transportation experts at [[Texas A&M University]] issued a report in 2004 finding no fundamental flaws with the Metrorail system, although this report did recommend minor adjustments to signal timing and signage.<ref>{{cite web|author=LUCAS WALL, Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/Report-Rail-design-not-to-blame-for-vehicle-1675945.php |title=Report: Rail design not to blame for vehicle accidents - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2004-03-09 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> For accidents occurring during almost the first year and half of operation, the METRO and its police have blamed all but one on pedestrians getting too close to the tracks or motorists making illegal turns or running red lights. <ref name="chron1">{{cite web|author=RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/topstory/3176719.html |title=Video shows train had green light in fatal crash - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-05-10 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Red light running is the main cause downtown, whereas near the Texas Medical Center illegal turns are the main cause.<ref>{{cite web|author=RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3305361.html |title=Car, lightrail collide in 100th accident involving train - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-08-10 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Some of the people involved in the crashes have claimed that poor signage and signal layouts have contributed to the problem. Critics argue that such a high rate of driver error must be attributable to an environment conducive to it.<ref name="gaver"/> Critics have also noted the fact that the system is at-grade,<ref name="chron1"/> while supporters contend that lack of federal funding due to political opposition made construction of a grade separated rail line unfeasible. <ref name="lightrailnow1">{{cite web|url=http://www.lightrailnow.org/features/f_hou_2005-01.htm |title=Houston Light Rail - Houston's Drivers Are Awful! - Houston motor vehicle accidents |publisher=Lightrailnow.org |date= |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Supporters of the METRO also claim that the Main Street corrider that the train travels upon had a high accident rate even before the METRORail entered service.<ref name="lightrailnow1"/> METRO has rearranged some signals and altered some sign arrangements to try to make things clearer.<ref>{{cite news
⚫
| last = Sallee
⚫
| first = Rad
⚫
| title = Pavement signals will flash at 2 trouble spots
⚫
| publisher = [[Houston Chronicle]]
⚫
| date=2006-03-12
⚫
| url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/moveit/3718962.html
⚫
| accessdate = 2007-10-25
⚫
}}</ref> These new signal arrangements decreased the accident rate to a fourth of its former level by August 2005, approximately 20 months after opening. <ref>{{cite web|author=RAD SALLEE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3305361.html |title=Car, lightrail collide in 100th accident involving train - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-08-10 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> Sociology and urban studies professor Stephen Klineberg argues that the high rate of crashes in Houston is attributable to the high rate of automobile driving and low rate of walking in Houston.<ref>{{cite web|last=Howlett |first=Debbie |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-07-houston-rail_x.htm |title=Houston's crash course in light rail |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date=2004-03-23 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>


=== CAF-USA Expansion Order Controversy ===
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Allegations were made that METRO lied about the income from their sales tax revenue to allow them to gain $900 million in federal funds for all five planned rail expansions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khou.com/news/Did-Metro-try-to-deceive-feds-to-get-900-million-91003459.html# |title=Did Metro try to deceive feds to get $900M? &#124; khou.com &#124; Khou.com - News, Houston news, Texas News, Headlines |publisher=Khou.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> However, city officials found no such attempt by METRO to mislead them,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2010/04/metro_city_officials_deny_effo.html |title=Metro, city officials deny effort to mislead FTA &#124; Houston Politics &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Blogs.chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> but the [[Federal Transit Administration]] continued to withhold its approval for the money until further figures can be examined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khou.com/news/Feds_Scold_Mero_and_Take_Action_To_Protect_Taxpayers-91788899.html |title=Feds take action on Metro rail lines to protect taxpayers &#124; khou.com &#124; Khou.com - News, Houston news, Texas News, Headlines |publisher=Khou.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
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The [[Federal Transit Administration]] investigated whether METRO's plan to order light-rail vehicles built for five new rail lines by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) violated federal “Buy America” rules. All federally funded projects require [[rolling stock]] to be assembled in the United States. If METRO violated the rules, $900 million in federal funds could be rescinded. METRO argued that its plan to have CAF build the 2 prototype cars for this order in Spain was permitted because only local funds were used for these cars and this order was separate from the order for the remaining 103 cars (to be built the US with federal funds). <ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Snyder, Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Buy-America-probe-of-Metro-unresolved-1708271.php |title=‘Buy America' probe of Metro unresolved - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-04-29 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref><ref name="chron2">{{cite web|author=Mike Snyder, Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Voicemail-key-to-Metro-s-claim-it-adheres-to-Buy-1555642.php |title=Voicemail key to Metro's claim it adheres to 'Buy America' - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-05-14 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> However, the FTA disagreed, stating that the prototype contract was an "integral" part of the total contract <ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Snyder, Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/business/article/Firm-warns-axing-Metro-deal-will-cost-money-jobs-1695889.php |title=Firm warns axing Metro deal will cost money, jobs - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-12 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> and that METRO's overall compliance to the rules was the most important issue.<ref name="chron2"/>


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In February 2008, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) responded to an inquiry that was made by a prospective rail car supplier. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} In March 2008, the FTA outlined this as one of the issues regarding the '''North/Red Line Extension''' and '''Southeast/Purple Line'''. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} The FTA wanted a response from then-president Frank Wilson in April 2010,<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6978540.html |title=FTA: Metro's new trains may violate “Buy America” rule &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>; whether he responded is unknown. METRO argued that they were purchasing "off the shelf, standard vehicles" to which (they claim) the rules do not apply.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6982676.html ‘Buy America' probe of Metro unresolved Transit chief meets feds in D.C., tries to end fight over Spanish vendor]</ref> In a July 2010 Record of Decision on the '''University Line''', the FTA instructed METRO to refrain from purchasing any trains. <ref>http://www.metrosolutions.org/clients/1068/354067.pdf</ref> According to internal METRO emails, when Frank Wilson was approached by railcar contractor [[Siemens|Siemens AG]] in January 2009 with what [[Siemens]] claims was a low bid on 29 new cars for the '''Red Line'''/'''Red Line Extension''' and the '''East End/Green Line''', he allowed them to make their presentation but avoided any type of discussion or negotiation. <ref>{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/08/metro_caf_rail_cars.php |title=Metro: E-Mails Show How Not To Negotiate To Buy Rail Cars - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-08-27 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
Public opinion in blogs is varied. One critic likened METRORail to that of the San Francisco model of light rail,<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted by Tom at April 20, 2010 12:01 AM |url=http://blog.kir.com/archives/2010/04/houston_metro_i.asp |title=Houston's Clear Thinkers: Houston Metro in a few years |publisher=Blog.kir.com |date=2010-04-20 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> and argued that the METRO had not expanded bus service and wanted to borrow more money allowed.<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted by Tom at March 22, 2010 12:01 AM |url=http://blog.kir.com/archives/2010/03/the_bad_metro_b.asp |title=Houston's Clear Thinkers: The bad Metro bet |publisher=Blog.kir.com |date=2010-03-22 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><!-----


On September 8, 2010, the FTA found METRO in violation of the rules, stating that METRO must rebid the contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9I3VFL81.htm |title=Feds: Houston light rail expansion violates rules |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> The FTA blamed the previous METRO administration for "both alarming and disturbing" findings. METRO was blamed for working together with CAF to avoid numerous provisions in "Buy America" to the point that CAF had an advantage over other domestic firms.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}The FTA stated that the federal funds could be approved if METRO rectified the situation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alttransport.com/2010/09/busted-houston-violates-buy-american-provision-gets-in-bed-with-spanish/ |title=Busted! Houston Violates Buy American Provision, Gets in Bed with Spanish – AltTransport: Your Guide to Smarter Ways of Getting Around |publisher=Alttransport.com |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/09/08/eastex_advocate/news/3810metro_ea.txt</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/100908-federal-investigation-puts-light-rail-projects-on-hold |title=Federal Investigation Puts Light Rail Projects on Hold |publisher=Myfoxhouston.com |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7191292.html |title=Metro riders must wait longer for new rail lines &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-09 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> An online copy of the report is available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/37107254/Report-of-Investigation-Signed-2010-09-03 |title=Report of Investigation (Signed) 2010-09-03 |publisher=Scribd.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
THIS IS NOT AN ENGLISH SENTENCE: However, after his conversation with Houston's mayor, conveyed is a breath of fresh air<ref>{{cite web|url=http://houstonstrategies.blogspot.com/2010/04/madam-mayor-and-me-on-metro-mess.html |title=Houston Strategies: Madam Mayor and me on the Metro mess |publisher=Houstonstrategies.blogspot.com |date=2010-04-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>while also expressing his views regarding another component of expansion, the idea of commuter rail.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gattis |first=Tory |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/3441473.html |title=Off track: Commuter rail is the wrong ride &#124; Viewpoints, Outlook &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2005-11-05 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}


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METRO announced that all new line contruction would be delayed by up to a year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Connelly |first=Richard |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/09/metro_clarifies_that_feds_ruli.php |title=Metro "Clarifies" That Feds' Ruling Will Delay Light Rail Construction - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-09-09 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Construction of the '''Uptown''' and '''University''' lines was threatened due to the FTA decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/09/16/memorial_examiner/news/me_metro_denied_final.txt |title=FTA: Metro violated law; $900 million grant stalls - Houston Community Newspapers: News |publisher=Hcnonline.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Texas [[Governor]] [[Rick Perry]] argued that former Houston mayor [[Bill White]] needed to own up to his decision to appoint Frank Wilson as the METRO CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/politics/7193818.html|title=Perry blames Houston Metro's legal woes on White|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=9 September 2010|accessdate=23 January 2012|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100911070638/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/politics/7193818.html|archivedate=11 September 2010}}</ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}} A stop-work order was issued by METRO to CAF USA, and METRO considered what could be done to retrieve the $40 million invested already.<ref name="blogs.houstonpress.com">{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/09/houston_city_council_metro.php |title=Walmart Tagged, Metro Gets Spotlight At City Council - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-09-15 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> CAF faced an investigation in order to confirm is it still qualified to be a potential bidder. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} CAF USA argued that the FTA decision was based upon incomplete and incorrect information and requested that the FTA reconsider it.<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7206653.html#none |title=Rail car firm asks feds to reconsider nixing Metro deal &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-17 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> CAF threatened to sue METRO if they rebid,<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7197426.html |title=Firm warns axing Metro deal will cost money, jobs &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> and the METRO considered litigation "likely".<ref name="blogs.houstonpress.com"/> METRO planned to deal with a $430 million budget cut by removing 160 printers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/09/metro_budget_2011.php |title=Metro Tackles Huge Budget Gap...By Getting Rid Of Some Office Printers? - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-09-16 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Property owners whose land were taken for the planned METRO lines complained about their land and that the lines may never be built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/100908-metro-probe-irks-people-who-lost-land |title=METRO Probe Irks People Who Lost Land |publisher=Myfoxhouston.com |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>


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In September 2011, the METRO approved the purchase of 39 cars from CAF upon receipt of a new proposal from CAF that is compliant with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Buy America guidelines. <ref name="metro-magazine1"/><ref name="ridemetro1"/>
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</ref> --->Another critic argued that the METRO expansion rested on incorrect "myths",<ref>{{cite web|last=King |first=Bill |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6922730.html |title=Metro expansion plan rests on myths and falsehoods &#124; Viewpoints, Outlook &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-03-20 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> had financial problems,<ref>{{cite web|author=Advarion Incorporated - NJN |url=http://www.billkingblog.com/?x=0&articleID=805301 |title=Bill King: Public Policy Blog |publisher=Billkingblog.com |date=2010-03-16 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> and was poorly planned.<ref>{{cite web|last=King |first=Bill |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7171726.html |title=King: Metro’s at-grade rail plan will leave a sorry legacy &#124; Viewpoints, Outlook &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-08-25 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>


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Examiner.com claims, in an article titled "Houston METRO Transit uses local money to bail out another 'Buy America' problem", that Buy America violations also disqualified 1,200 radios purchased by METRO.
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[[The Woodlands, Texas|The Woodlands]] (an unincorporated Houston suburb) became entangled with the City of Houston when it agreed to pay a sum of money in order to avoid annexation. This has led to the Woodlands area funding another METRORail project in which light rail stations would be better connected and walkways expanded. Comments about this have given rise to allegations of extortion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatewoodlands.com/2010/07/woodlands-funds-houston-projects |title=The Woodlands funds more Houston projects |publisher=Ultimate The Woodlands |date=2010-07-02 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=January 2012}}


=== Other Controversies ==
==="Buy America"===
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During the 2003 expansion referendum, critics of the system opposed METRO for spending public funds for "educational advertisements" about the proposed system, which critics claimed promote the referendum.<ref name="TTM1">[http://web.archive.org/web/20040315163934/http://www.texansfortruemobility.com/press_news22.shtml The METRO Money Train]</ref>{{Dead link|date=January 2012}}
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The [[Federal Transit Administration]] investigated whether METRO's plan to order light-rail vehicles built for five new rail lines by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) violated federal “Buy America” rules. All federally funded projects require [[rolling stock]] to be assembled in the United States. If METRO violated the rules, $900 million in federal funds could be rescinded. METRO argued that its plan to have CAF build the 2 prototype cars for this order in Spain was permitted because only local funds were used for these cars and this order was separate from the order for the remaining 103 cars (to be built the US with federal funds). <ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Snyder, Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Buy-America-probe-of-Metro-unresolved-1708271.php |title=‘Buy America' probe of Metro unresolved - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-04-29 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref><ref name="chron2">{{cite web|author=Mike Snyder, Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Voicemail-key-to-Metro-s-claim-it-adheres-to-Buy-1555642.php |title=Voicemail key to Metro's claim it adheres to 'Buy America' - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-05-14 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> However, the FTA disagreed, stating that the prototype contract was an "integral" part of the total contract <ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Snyder, Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/business/article/Firm-warns-axing-Metro-deal-will-cost-money-jobs-1695889.php |title=Firm warns axing Metro deal will cost money, jobs - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-12 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref> and that METRO's overall compliance to the rules was the most important issue.<ref name="chron2"/>


⚫
The main [[political action committee]] (PAC) supporting the bond was accused of having a conflict of interest because it received over [[United States dollar|US$]]100,000 in contributions from contractors and equipment suppliers for METRORail who stood to gain financially from its expansion.<ref name="TTM1" />{{Dead link|date=January 2012}} This includes a [[United States dollar|US$]]50,000 donation from [[Siemens AG]], the corporation which built METRORail's original 18 trains.
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In February 2008, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) responded to an inquiry that was made by a prospective rail car supplier. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} In March 2008, the FTA outlined this as one of the issues regarding the '''North/Red Line Extension''' and '''Southeast/Purple Line'''. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} The FTA wanted a response from then-president Frank Wilson in April 2010,<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6978540.html |title=FTA: Metro's new trains may violate “Buy America” rule &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>; whether he responded is unknown. METRO argued that they were purchasing "off the shelf, standard vehicles" to which (they claim) the rules do not apply.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6982676.html ‘Buy America' probe of Metro unresolved Transit chief meets feds in D.C., tries to end fight over Spanish vendor]</ref>


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In November 2007, local NBC station, [[KPRC-TV|KPRC Local 2]], reported that METRORail did not respond to disabled patrons, resulting in one being stranded. According to KPRC, little was done after 3 years of complaints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/14481196/detail.html |title=Handicapped Riders Complain About METRORail - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2007-11-01 |accessdate=2011-04-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080103051621/http://www.click2houston.com/news/14481196/detail.html|archivedate=3 January 2008}}</ref>
In a July 2010 Record of Decision on the '''University Line''', the FTA instructed METRO to refrain from purchasing any trains. <ref>http://www.metrosolutions.org/clients/1068/354067.pdf</ref> According to internal METRO emails, when Frank Wilson was approached by railcar contractor [[Siemens|Siemens AG]] in January 2009 with what [[Siemens]] claims was a low bid on 29 new cars for the '''Red Line'''/'''Red Line Extension''' and the '''East End/Green Line''', he allowed them to make their presentation but avoided any type of discussion or negotiation. <ref>{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/08/metro_caf_rail_cars.php |title=Metro: E-Mails Show How Not To Negotiate To Buy Rail Cars - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-08-27 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> In September 2010, when the METRO board convened budget meetings, FTA approval of funding was still uncertain.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/08/metro_2011_budget_planning.php |title=George Greanias Lays The Groundwork For Metro's Tough Upcoming Budget Decisions - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-08-31 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>


On September 8, 2010, the FTA found METRO in violation of the rules, stating that METRO must rebid the contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9I3VFL81.htm |title=Feds: Houston light rail expansion violates rules |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> The FTA blamed the previous METRO administration for "both alarming and disturbing" findings. METRO was blamed for working together with CAF to avoid numerous provisions in "Buy America" to the point that CAF had an advantage over other domestic firms.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}The FTA stated that the federal funds could be approved if METRO rectified the situation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alttransport.com/2010/09/busted-houston-violates-buy-american-provision-gets-in-bed-with-spanish/ |title=Busted! Houston Violates Buy American Provision, Gets in Bed with Spanish – AltTransport: Your Guide to Smarter Ways of Getting Around |publisher=Alttransport.com |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/09/08/eastex_advocate/news/3810metro_ea.txt</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/100908-federal-investigation-puts-light-rail-projects-on-hold |title=Federal Investigation Puts Light Rail Projects on Hold |publisher=Myfoxhouston.com |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7191292.html |title=Metro riders must wait longer for new rail lines &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-09 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> An online copy of the report is available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/37107254/Report-of-Investigation-Signed-2010-09-03 |title=Report of Investigation (Signed) 2010-09-03 |publisher=Scribd.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
The METRO agency was accused of document shredding in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/22668109/detail.html |title=METRO Accused Of Shredding Documents - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2010-02-25 |accessdate=2011-04-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100227034135/http://www.click2houston.com/news/22668109/detail.html|archivedate=27 February 2010}}</ref> This led to an investigation by the Harris County District Attorney,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/22674951/detail.html |title=Mayor Calls For METRO Investigation - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2010-02-25 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}} followed by a seizing of documents by investigators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/23093456/detail.html |title=Documents Seized From METRO - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston |publisher=Click2houston.com |date=2010-04-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100411074801/http://www.click2houston.com/news/23093456/detail.html|archivedate=11 April 2010}}</ref> Mayor [[Annise Parker]] replaced five members on METRO's board in order to move ahead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6922749.html |title=All aboard: Mayor’s reshaping of Metro is off to a promising start &#124; Editorial &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-03-20 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> CEO Frank Wilson resigned in May and the case was settled by June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=&nbsp;&nbsp; |url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7473000 |title=METRO, attorney to settle document destruction lawsuit &#124; abc13.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2010-06-01 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> METRO was acquitted of any wrong doing on July 27, 2010 by the Harris County District Attorney.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Brian |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7126768.html |title=Harris DA clears Metro of document shredding &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-07-27 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> However, Mayor Parker asked for further investigation, which showed that there were no records of METRO committee meeting decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7618742 |title=METRO releasing results of external review into document shredding and other policies &#124; abc13.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |date=2010-08-19 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Michael Reed argued that METRO had been deteriorating financially under Frank Wilson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloghouston.net/item/8519 |title=Examiner's Reed on METRO's deteriorating finances (blogHOUSTON - The Stream) |publisher=blogHOUSTON |date=2010-08-18 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>


⚫
Allegations were made that METRO lied about the income from their sales tax revenue to allow them to gain $900 million in federal funds for all five planned rail expansions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khou.com/news/Did-Metro-try-to-deceive-feds-to-get-900-million-91003459.html# |title=Did Metro try to deceive feds to get $900M? &#124; khou.com &#124; Khou.com - News, Houston news, Texas News, Headlines |publisher=Khou.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> However, city officials found no such attempt by METRO to mislead them,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2010/04/metro_city_officials_deny_effo.html |title=Metro, city officials deny effort to mislead FTA &#124; Houston Politics &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Blogs.chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> but the [[Federal Transit Administration]] continued to withhold its approval for the money until further figures can be examined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khou.com/news/Feds_Scold_Mero_and_Take_Action_To_Protect_Taxpayers-91788899.html |title=Feds take action on Metro rail lines to protect taxpayers &#124; khou.com &#124; Khou.com - News, Houston news, Texas News, Headlines |publisher=Khou.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
⚫
That FTA decision had several consequences. Firstly, METRO announced that all new line contruction would be delayed by up to a year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Connelly |first=Richard |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/09/metro_clarifies_that_feds_ruli.php |title=Metro "Clarifies" That Feds' Ruling Will Delay Light Rail Construction - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-09-09 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Construction of the '''Uptown''' and '''University''' lines was threatened due to the FTA decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/09/16/memorial_examiner/news/me_metro_denied_final.txt |title=FTA: Metro violated law; $900 million grant stalls - Houston Community Newspapers: News |publisher=Hcnonline.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Texas [[Governor]] [[Rick Perry]] argued that former Houston mayor [[Bill White]] needed to own up to his decision to appoint Frank Wilson as the METRO CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/politics/7193818.html|title=Perry blames Houston Metro's legal woes on White|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=9 September 2010|accessdate=23 January 2012|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100911070638/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/politics/7193818.html|archivedate=11 September 2010}}</ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}} A stop-work order was issued by METRO to CAF USA, and METRO considered what could be done to retrieve the $40 million invested already.<ref name="blogs.houstonpress.com">{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/09/houston_city_council_metro.php |title=Walmart Tagged, Metro Gets Spotlight At City Council - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-09-15 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> CAF faced an investigation in order to confirm is it still qualified to be a potential bidder. {{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} CAF USA argued that the FTA decision was based upon incomplete and incorrect information and requested that the FTA reconsider it.<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7206653.html#none |title=Rail car firm asks feds to reconsider nixing Metro deal &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-17 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> CAF threatened to sue METRO if they rebid,<ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7197426.html |title=Firm warns axing Metro deal will cost money, jobs &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> and the METRO considered litigation "likely".<ref name="blogs.houstonpress.com"/> METRO planned to deal with a $430 million budget cut by removing 160 printers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knight |first=Paul |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/09/metro_budget_2011.php |title=Metro Tackles Huge Budget Gap...By Getting Rid Of Some Office Printers? - Houston News - Hair Balls |publisher=Blogs.houstonpress.com |date=2010-09-16 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Property owners whose land were taken for the planned METRO lines complained about their land and that the lines may never be built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/100908-metro-probe-irks-people-who-lost-land |title=METRO Probe Irks People Who Lost Land |publisher=Myfoxhouston.com |date=2010-09-08 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> Frank Wilson's tactics in obtaining the federal funding were revealed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/7196479.html |title=Rocky road: Past Metro mistakes complicate the effort to build Houston's light-rail system &#124; Editorial &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-09-11 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Snyder |first=Mike |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7208480.html |title=On ex-chief’s watch, Metro derailed expansion plans &#124; Houston & Texas News &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>


⚫
METRO has been criticized in blogs.<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted by Tom at April 20, 2010 12:01 AM |url=http://blog.kir.com/archives/2010/04/houston_metro_i.asp |title=Houston's Clear Thinkers: Houston Metro in a few years |publisher=Blog.kir.com |date=2010-04-20 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Posted by Tom at March 22, 2010 12:01 AM |url=http://blog.kir.com/archives/2010/03/the_bad_metro_b.asp |title=Houston's Clear Thinkers: The bad Metro bet |publisher=Blog.kir.com |date=2010-03-22 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=King |first=Bill |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6922730.html |title=Metro expansion plan rests on myths and falsehoods &#124; Viewpoints, Outlook &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-03-20 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Advarion Incorporated - NJN |url=http://www.billkingblog.com/?x=0&articleID=805301 |title=Bill King: Public Policy Blog |publisher=Billkingblog.com |date=2010-03-16 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=King |first=Bill |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7171726.html |title=King: Metro’s at-grade rail plan will leave a sorry legacy &#124; Viewpoints, Outlook &#124; Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=2010-08-25 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>
⚫
In September 2011, the METRO approved the purchase of 39 cars from CAF upon receipt of a new proposal from CAF that is compliant with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Buy America guidelines. <ref name="metro-magazine1"/><ref name="ridemetro1"/>


⚫
[[The Woodlands, Texas|The Woodlands]] (an unincorporated Houston suburb) became entangled with the City of Houston when it agreed to pay a sum of money in order to avoid annexation. This has led to the Woodlands area funding another METRORail project in which light rail stations would be better connected and walkways expanded. Comments about this have given rise to allegations of extortion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatewoodlands.com/2010/07/woodlands-funds-houston-projects |title=The Woodlands funds more Houston projects |publisher=Ultimate The Woodlands |date=2010-07-02 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=January 2012}}
⚫
Examiner.com claims, in an article titled "Houston METRO Transit uses local money to bail out another 'Buy America' problem", that Buy America violations also disqualified 1,200 radios purchased by METRO.


==Future expansion==
==Future expansion==

Revision as of 14:55, 24 January 2012

This article is about the transit system in Houston. For other uses, see Metrorail.
  Red Line (METRORail)
A Houston METRORail train
Overview
OwnerMetropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
LocaleHouston (Texas, USA)
Termini
Stations16
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemMetropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
ServicesRed Line, route 700
Operator(s)Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
Rolling stockSiemens Avanto S70
History
OpenedJanuary 1, 2004
Technical
Line length7.5 mi (12 km)
Minimum radius350 ft (107 m)
Highest elevationat grade, shared with streets
Route map
Red Line map

METRORail is the 7.5-mile (12.1 km) light rail line in Houston (Texas, USA).With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the second highest ridership per track mile. METRORail is operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).

History

This line was built after an approximately 20-year battle.[2] Several groups sued to stop contruction, claiming that the METRO organization was a "private business" and subject to Houston City Charter provisions regulating business use of its streets; [3] they obtained 2 temporary injunctions in January 2001, which were reversed by appeals court on March 9, 2001.[4]

Ground was broken on this line on March 13, 2001. [5] The opening of METRORail on January 1, 2004, came 64 years after the previous streetcar system had been shut down.[6] The cost was $325 million [7] Houston was the largest city in the United States without a rail system after the 1990 opening of the Blue Line in Los Angeles.

The Houston Chronicle was accused of bias designed to promote METRORail after the accidental posting of an internal memorandum on its website that urged the making of "rail a permanent part of the transit mix" in Houston through news, editorial, and op-ed columns.[8] It included a proposal of attacking the finances of critics to light rail such as U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier.[9] [dead link] Bob Lanier stopped an earlier rail plan (for commuter rail) in 1991;[10]

Tom Delay strongly opposed contruction of the METRORAIL line and twice blocked federal funding for the system in the United States House of Representatives. [11] Thus the Metrorail was built without any federal funding until November 2011 when a $900 million grant was approved for expansions. [12]

In spite of the opposition of some groups to the Metrorail, surveys conducted by Stephen Klineberg and Rice University have shown consistent increases in support of rail transport and decreases in support for bigger and better roads/highways in the Houston metropolitan area in recent years.[13][14][15] Klineberg considers these changes a "paradigm shift" or "sea change" on attitudes towards mass transit.[15][13][16]

Ridership

The most recent available average daily weekday ridership (November 2011) was 37,563.[17] The year-to-date ridership at that time as 38,101.[18]

In 2007, the average daily weekday ridership was 34,155. Notable records in ridership have occurred on the following dates:[19]

  • February 1, 2004: 64,005 passengers rode the METRORail to Super Bowl XXXVIII
  • February 23, 2004: 54,193 passenger boardings were recorded, the highest weekday at the time
  • February 27, 2007: 56,388 passengers were recorded the day of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Route and Infrastructure

The route is a 7.5 mile (12km) double-tracked line with 16 stations, running from UH-Downtown (METRORail Station) to Fannin South (METRORail Station). The entire route is at grade and on city streets. The line follows Main Street for 8 stations from UH-Downtown to Wheeler Station (METRORail Station), then follows Fannin Street for the remainder of the route until Fannin South (METRORail Station). However, northbound trains run on San Jacinto Street (rather than Fannin) for a small section of the route between the Wheeler and Museum District stations.

Significant businesses and institutions along this route include the University of Houston, Houston's restaurant district near Preston Station, the Downtown Transit Center, Houston's museum district, Rice University, Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Texas Medical Center, and Reliant Astrodome.

A Park and Ride parking lot is available at one station - Fannin South (METRORail Station). [20][21] This lot has a daily rate of $3.00 and a monthly hangtag contract of $40.00.

The line's 16 stations were designed by architectual firm HOK. [22] All the stations are of similar design, are 250-feet long, and are partially covered by glass roofs.

The right-of-way and the stations were built by three contractors: Texas Sterling Construction Co. of Houston, Bencon Management of Houston, and Beers Construction Co. of Atlanta.[23]

The route can handle 3 minute headways during peak hours [24] and has a design capacity of 8,000 people/hour in each direction while using 2-car trains with such a headway.[25]

Rolling stock

Houston operates a fleet of 18 Siemens-built Avanto S70 light-rail vehicles, delivered in 2003-2004.[26] Each 96-foot (29 m) long, double-articulated vehicle has four low-platform doors per side and has a capacity of 72 seated and approximately 169 standing passengers, or a total capacity of around 241 per car.[27] These S70 cars have a top speed of 66 mph.[28] On this system, trains are operated as single cars or in 2-car sets.

METRO Red Line train approaching the Preston station
The inside cabin of a METRORail train

For future expansion of the METRORail system, Metro had originally turned to CAF USA, with a total order of 105 cars.[29] This order was cancelled in February 2011 as it did not meet the "Buy America" clause. CAF gave a refund, which METRO will apply to new cars.[30]

In the meanwhile in the spring of 2011, METRO purchased 19 Siemens Avanto S70 cars (the same model as its original 18) that were originally slated for Utah Transit Authority's UTA TRAX system for $83 million. [31][32] The cars are being built in Sacramento, California.[33] They are slated to be delivered in October 2012 and enter service by that December.[34] METRO said that these cars were ordered to accomodate ridership that was 4 years ahead of expectations and to get cars more quickly.[35]

In September 2011, the METRO approved the purchase of 39 cars from CAF upon receipt of a new proposal from CAF that is compliant with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Buy America guidelines. [36][37]

Fares and Operations

The standard fare for this rail line is $1.25 for both cash and MetroQ Fare Card riders. The discount fare of $0.60 available for MetroQ Fare Card riders who are seniors, disabled, Medicare cardholders, or full-time students (elementary, high school, and university). All discount riders must show ID (except for elementary and high school students).[38]. Free transfers to METRO buses are available with the MetroQ Fare Card only, for 3 hours in the same direction only. The MetroQ Fare Card holders can earn "Rider Rewards" of 5 free trips for every 50 paid trips.[39] Tickets and cards are purchased from machines at the stations.

Failure to pay the fare is a Class C Misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of up to $500. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the train platform and subject to the same fine as a Class C Misdemeanor. [40]

The light rail line operates all 7 days of the week. On weekdays, it operates from 4:30 A.M. to 2:20 A.M. On Saturday it operates from 5:30 A.M. to 2:20 A.M., and on Sundays from 5:30 A.M. to 11:40 P. M. Scheduled train frequency varies from 6 minutes throughout the day (4:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.) on weekdays, to 20 minutes after 9 P.M. on all days.

The scheduled time for a end-to-end trip through the entire 7.5 mile route is exactly 30 minutes.

Controversies

Crashes

For a full year before the Metrorail system's opening, a program to prepare drivers to share Houston streets with the Metrorail trains was conducted, consisting of driver safety classes, community forums, and public service announcements.[41] However, in the beginning of METRORail's operation, the line averaged 11 crashes per track mile per year, compared with the national average of 0.55 for similar rail systems. Critics gave the line derisive local nicknames.[42] METRO has consistently blamed driver error as the cause of the high collision rate and the transit agency's police department regularly tickets motorists who cross paths with the train. METRO also argued that an independent panel of transportation experts at Texas A&M University issued a report in 2004 finding no fundamental flaws with the Metrorail system, although this report did recommend minor adjustments to signal timing and signage.[43] For accidents occurring during almost the first year and half of operation, the METRO and its police have blamed all but one on pedestrians getting too close to the tracks or motorists making illegal turns or running red lights. [44] Red light running is the main cause downtown, whereas near the Texas Medical Center illegal turns are the main cause.[45] Some of the people involved in the crashes have claimed that poor signage and signal layouts have contributed to the problem. Critics argue that such a high rate of driver error must be attributable to an environment conducive to it.[42] Critics have also noted the fact that the system is at-grade,[44] while supporters contend that lack of federal funding due to political opposition made construction of a grade separated rail line unfeasible. [46] Supporters of the METRO also claim that the Main Street corrider that the train travels upon had a high accident rate even before the METRORail entered service.[46] METRO has rearranged some signals and altered some sign arrangements to try to make things clearer.[47] These new signal arrangements decreased the accident rate to a fourth of its former level by August 2005, approximately 20 months after opening. [48] Sociology and urban studies professor Stephen Klineberg argues that the high rate of crashes in Houston is attributable to the high rate of automobile driving and low rate of walking in Houston.[49]

CAF-USA Expansion Order Controversy

The Federal Transit Administration investigated whether METRO's plan to order light-rail vehicles built for five new rail lines by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) violated federal “Buy America” rules. All federally funded projects require rolling stock to be assembled in the United States. If METRO violated the rules, $900 million in federal funds could be rescinded. METRO argued that its plan to have CAF build the 2 prototype cars for this order in Spain was permitted because only local funds were used for these cars and this order was separate from the order for the remaining 103 cars (to be built the US with federal funds). [50][51] However, the FTA disagreed, stating that the prototype contract was an "integral" part of the total contract [52] and that METRO's overall compliance to the rules was the most important issue.[51]

In February 2008, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) responded to an inquiry that was made by a prospective rail car supplier. [citation needed] In March 2008, the FTA outlined this as one of the issues regarding the North/Red Line Extension and Southeast/Purple Line. [citation needed] The FTA wanted a response from then-president Frank Wilson in April 2010,[53]; whether he responded is unknown. METRO argued that they were purchasing "off the shelf, standard vehicles" to which (they claim) the rules do not apply.[54] In a July 2010 Record of Decision on the University Line, the FTA instructed METRO to refrain from purchasing any trains. [55] According to internal METRO emails, when Frank Wilson was approached by railcar contractor Siemens AG in January 2009 with what Siemens claims was a low bid on 29 new cars for the Red Line/Red Line Extension and the East End/Green Line, he allowed them to make their presentation but avoided any type of discussion or negotiation. [56]

On September 8, 2010, the FTA found METRO in violation of the rules, stating that METRO must rebid the contract.[57] The FTA blamed the previous METRO administration for "both alarming and disturbing" findings. METRO was blamed for working together with CAF to avoid numerous provisions in "Buy America" to the point that CAF had an advantage over other domestic firms.[citation needed]The FTA stated that the federal funds could be approved if METRO rectified the situation.[58][59][60][61] An online copy of the report is available.[62]

METRO announced that all new line contruction would be delayed by up to a year.[63] Construction of the Uptown and University lines was threatened due to the FTA decision.[64] Texas Governor Rick Perry argued that former Houston mayor Bill White needed to own up to his decision to appoint Frank Wilson as the METRO CEO.[65] [dead link] A stop-work order was issued by METRO to CAF USA, and METRO considered what could be done to retrieve the $40 million invested already.[66] CAF faced an investigation in order to confirm is it still qualified to be a potential bidder. [citation needed] CAF USA argued that the FTA decision was based upon incomplete and incorrect information and requested that the FTA reconsider it.[67] CAF threatened to sue METRO if they rebid,[68] and the METRO considered litigation "likely".[66] METRO planned to deal with a $430 million budget cut by removing 160 printers.[69] Property owners whose land were taken for the planned METRO lines complained about their land and that the lines may never be built.[70]

In September 2011, the METRO approved the purchase of 39 cars from CAF upon receipt of a new proposal from CAF that is compliant with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Buy America guidelines. [36][37]

Examiner.com claims, in an article titled "Houston METRO Transit uses local money to bail out another 'Buy America' problem", that Buy America violations also disqualified 1,200 radios purchased by METRO.

= Other Controversies

During the 2003 expansion referendum, critics of the system opposed METRO for spending public funds for "educational advertisements" about the proposed system, which critics claimed promote the referendum.[71][dead link]

The main political action committee (PAC) supporting the bond was accused of having a conflict of interest because it received over US$100,000 in contributions from contractors and equipment suppliers for METRORail who stood to gain financially from its expansion.[71][dead link] This includes a US$50,000 donation from Siemens AG, the corporation which built METRORail's original 18 trains.

In November 2007, local NBC station, KPRC Local 2, reported that METRORail did not respond to disabled patrons, resulting in one being stranded. According to KPRC, little was done after 3 years of complaints.[72]

The METRO agency was accused of document shredding in January 2010.[73] This led to an investigation by the Harris County District Attorney,[74] [dead link] followed by a seizing of documents by investigators.[75] Mayor Annise Parker replaced five members on METRO's board in order to move ahead.[76] CEO Frank Wilson resigned in May and the case was settled by June 2010.[77] METRO was acquitted of any wrong doing on July 27, 2010 by the Harris County District Attorney.[78] However, Mayor Parker asked for further investigation, which showed that there were no records of METRO committee meeting decisions.[79] Michael Reed argued that METRO had been deteriorating financially under Frank Wilson.[80]

Allegations were made that METRO lied about the income from their sales tax revenue to allow them to gain $900 million in federal funds for all five planned rail expansions.[81] However, city officials found no such attempt by METRO to mislead them,[82] but the Federal Transit Administration continued to withhold its approval for the money until further figures can be examined.[83]

METRO has been criticized in blogs.[84][85][86][87][88]

The Woodlands (an unincorporated Houston suburb) became entangled with the City of Houston when it agreed to pay a sum of money in order to avoid annexation. This has led to the Woodlands area funding another METRORail project in which light rail stations would be better connected and walkways expanded. Comments about this have given rise to allegations of extortion.[89][dead link]

Future expansion

The new North, Southeast and East End lines are tentatively scheduled to be completed sometime during 2015.[90] Fannin Station will also be added to the current Red Line in order to provide transfers to/from both the Southeast/Purple and the East End/Green lines.[91]

In August 2010, a budget shortfall of $49 million was announced by METRO, which has halted progress on the University/Blue Line. The line has already received a final Federal Record of Decision but there are no official words regarding when construction would start or how the line would be funded.[92] METRO previously claimed that the completion of construction and opening of the Red Line Extension would be by 2013[93] and the East End/Green Line by 2014.[94] However, METRO announced on September 9, 2010 that the opening dates for the North,Southeast, and East End lines had been pushed back to 2014,[95] and by December 2011 the start date had slipped back to 2015.[90]

On December 8, 2011, the FTA announced an award of $900 million, broken into two $450 million grants from the New Starts transit program, to fund construction of the North and Southeast lines, by that time estimated to begin service in 2015.[90]

Following METRO's 2010 annual audit, the agency has decided to cancel the Burnett Plaza project. This is part of a US$168,000,000 asset liquidation. The price of the land US$21,000,000 is valued separately.[96]

The METRO has offered the public a chance to name stations on its expansion lines.[97]

Go METRORail Maps
File:Downtown Houston Close Up.pdf
Map of downtown routings
Line Name Distance Route
  North/Red Line Extension 5.3 mi (8.5 km) UH–Downtown Station to the Northline Transit Center
  Southeast/Purple Line 6.1 mi (10 km) Smith Street in Downtown Houston to the Palm Center at MLK & Griggs Street
  University Line 11.3 mi (18 km)[98] Hillcroft Transit Center to the Eastwood Transit Center[98]
  Uptown Line 4.7 mi (8 km) Bellaire/South Rice Station on Westpark to the Northwest Transit Center
  East End/Green Line 3.3 mi (5 km) Smith Street in Downtown Houston to the Magnolia Transit Center

See also

References

  1. ^ "JANUARY 2011 (Fiscal Year 2011) Monthly Ridership Report METROBus and METRORail" (PDF), Monthly Ridership Report, METRO, 2/24, p. Page 5, retrieved 2011-02-26 {{citation}}: |first= missing |last= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  2. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Southwest/01/01/life.train.reut/index.html
  3. ^ http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm
  4. ^ http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm
  5. ^ http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Light-rail-stations-closer-to-getting-names-2078497.php
  6. ^ "MAIN STREET LIGHT RAIL / New ride for the new year / Festivals mark inaugural day for Metro train." Houston Chronicle. January 1, 2004.
  7. ^ http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou005.htm
  8. ^ "A Houston odyssey: DeLay, Lanier and light rail". Houston Chronicle. November 20, 2002. Retrieved 2006-05-16. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Connelly, Richard (December 5, 2002). "Internal Distress". Houston Press. Retrieved 2006-05-16.
  10. ^ "Houston Journal; Legal Fight Stalls a City's Plan for Light-Rail Relief - New York Times". Nytimes.com. 2001-02-13. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  11. ^ "Trains finally roll in Houston rail system - Jan. 1, 2004". CNN.com. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  12. ^ "METRO to get $900 million in federal funds for light rail expansion projects | abc13.com". Abclocal.go.com. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  13. ^ a b Wendy Natt, Apr 22, 09. "Survey shows strong support for transit". Houston Tomorrow. Retrieved 2012-01-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "METRO Connections 2009". Ridemetro.org. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  15. ^ a b "Houstonians more positive about city despite economic woes, annual survey finds". e! Science News. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  16. ^ Houston Business Journal (2009-04-20). "Houstonians say there's no place like home, survey finds - Houston Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2012-01-22. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ http://www.ridemetro.org/News/Documents/RidershipReport.aspx
  18. ^ http://www.ridemetro.org/News/Documents/RidershipReport.aspx
  19. ^ "METRORail riding sets record". Houston Business Journal. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2012-1-4. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/ParkRide.aspx
  21. ^ http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/ParkRide/Fannin.aspx
  22. ^ http://www.hok.com/cfm/ProjectDetailArchive.cfm?Tag=Planning&projectID=63&TagList=Mobility%5EPlanning%5EUnited%20States%5ETransportation
  23. ^ http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou002.htm
  24. ^ http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_hou001.htm
  25. ^ http://www.lightrailnow.org/features/f_hou_2004-04.htm
  26. ^ "Vehicles Lines". Siemens. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  27. ^ "S70 Light Rail Vehicle - Houston" (PDF). Siemens AG. May 2007. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  28. ^ http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/siemens-lands-83-million-contract-for-light-rail-in-houston/15353
  29. ^ "Metro approves historic contract to build more light rail: Construction brings jobs to Houston" (Press release). Houston Chronicle. May 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
  30. ^ "METRO Receives Refund From Spanish Rail Car Vendor". METRO News Release. February 16, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-26. METRO has received a $14 million dollar refund from CAF, the Spanish rail car vendor.
  31. ^ http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/siemens-lands-83-million-contract-for-light-rail-in-houston/15353
  32. ^ http://press.siemens.us/index.php?s=43&item=1366
  33. ^ http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/siemens-lands-83-million-contract-for-light-rail-in-houston/15353
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