Safety for Passengers, Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers | METRO

Be Safe. Be Seen.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility and it starts with you. Whether you’re riding METRO or you’re in the vicinity of one of our vehicles, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you.

METRO Bus

Please do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe throughout your entire trip on a METRO bus.

Riders boarding a METRO local bus at the Texas Medical Center transit center

Many incidents occur when someone doesn’t follow safety rules and/or METRO’s code of conduct.

Examples:

Always enter the bus through the front door
Avoid conversation with the operator when the bus is in motion
Don’t play music out loud inside the bus
No eating or drinking on the bus

Safety rules apply when you’re waiting, boarding, riding and exiting.

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METRORail

METRORail trains are very quiet and travel along city streets sharing the road with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Always be alert, be seen and be safe when you are near tracks and STOP. LOOK. LISTEN.

METRO Rider with back pack crossing tracks at rail crosswalk on a scooter.

The scooter rider is being safe by looking at the traffic lights on when it’s safe to walk the scooter across the tracks and street. He is waiting behind the textured surface tiles that transitions from the street level onto the full length of the platform to the other end.

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Pedestrians

When you’re around METRO transit vehicles, it’s important to be safe, be seen and remain alert at all times because safety doesn't happen by accident.

Protecting yourself starts by following these pedestrian crossing tips:

Cross the street only at an intersection or designated crosswalk
At intersections with lights and signals, wait for the WALK signal
Never cross the street on a steady DON'T WALK signal
Always look both ways and over your shoulder before crossing the street
Never cross in front of a bus or train
Put aside all distractions including your phone, ear buds or other devices
Place yourself between children and the road when there's oncoming traffic
Never enter roadway from between parked cars or behind bushes
At night, wear bright colors or reflective clothing that’s easy to see

If there are no crosswalks, pay close attention to all posted signs and yield to vehicles. We also suggest you avoid construction zones and avoid walking around lowered crossing gates.

Cyclists

When riding a bicycle or motorcycle near transit vehicles, follow the rules of the road because safety doesn't happen by accident. Be safe, be seen and stay alert.

Bicyclist riding through Downtown Transit Center

Stay alert around train tracks. Trains can be quiet and approach without warning. Use these safety tips to protect yourself and others.

Pay attention to and obey all traffic signs and signals
Never enter an intersection against the traffic lights – you could be ticketed
Ride the bike perpendicular to the tracks to prevent wheels from getting stuck
Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging
Double check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out onto the road
Listen for train whistles, bells and horns
Never stop nor ride your bike on the tracks
Cross tracks only at designated crossings and only when it’s safe to do so
Never ride or walk your bicycle around lowered crossing gates, as this indicates a train is approaching
Look both ways before crossing the tracks, trains travel in both directions
Never race a train or try to beat the train to a crossing

Motorists

When you’re driving around METRO transit vehicles, it’s important to always follow the rules of the road and avoid distracted driving because safety doesn't happen by accident. Focus on the drive.

Distracted driver not paying attention to the train.

In certain areas, you may be riding on the same street lane as a METRORail train because the road is shared with the train tracks in order to make a left turn toward a building or parking area.

Trains are very quiet and if you don’t remain alert, you could accidentally turn into a train. Be aware, listen for train horns and whistles be safe and obey the traffic signs and lights.

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METRO Police Officer directing traffic during a major event.

METRO Police Department (MPD)

MPD officers are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Every day, uniformed officers patrol area streets, roadways and METRO facilities.

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Resources

Looking to promote safety in your community?

Explore free, printable resources to help people learn about a variety of safety topics.

Rider Tools

Below are some tools to make your METRO riding experience easier and more convenient.

Rider Safety (METRO Bus)

Use designated crosswalks and sidewalks to get to the bus stop
Wait for your bus on the sidewalk or at the designated stop or shelter
Stand 2-3 feet back from the curb
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding

Allow others to exit the bus before boarding
Enter the bus through the front door
Keep children close, and board together
Use the handrails to avoid slipping or falling
Never cross in front of or behind the bus

Do:

Stay seated while the bus is in motion unless you are holding onto a handrail
Keep hands, feet and personal items clear from closing doors
Keep your head and arms inside the bus window
Keep your feet, legs, arms and personal items out of the aisle
If you’re using a wheelchair, we recommend using the shoulder restraint when riding

Don’t:

Don’t sit in the priority seating area at the front of the bus unless you’re elderly or disabled
Avoid conversation with the operator when the bus is in motion
Don’t play music out loud inside the bus
No eating or drinking on the bus
Never stand in the stairwell or in front of the yellow line near the driver
Don't stand near the doors while the bus is moving

Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting
Exit the bus through the door nearest to you
As you exit the bus, watch for cars
Never cross in front of or behind a bus – drivers cannot see you
Wait for the bus to pull away before crossing the street

Rider Safety (METRORail)

Stop. Look. Listen.

A train can approach any track, at any intersection and at any time. Always obey railroad crossing signals. At some street intersection you may see gates down, flashing lights and ringing bells this means a train is approaching.

If you see a train's headlight or hear its horn stay clear of the tracks and keep a safe distance. Always remain alert and follow these safety tips:

Be alert when near railroad tracks
Be alert while waiting on a rail platform
Be alert when walking at a crosswalk that has train tracks
Pay attention to traffic signals and signs
Listen for train horns, whistles and ringing bells
Look for flashing lights and signs
Avoid walking around lowered crossing gates
Don’t try to beat the train
Don’t stop on the tracks at any point
Don’t enter the trackway at any point it’s illegal, dangerous and can be fatal
Don't walk, bike or use a scoter to go down the tracks
If you see someone on the tracks, do not attempt to intervene, call 911 immediately

Stay Alert at All Times.

Stand behind the yellow warning textured surface tiles on the platform
Don’t approach the train until it’s come to a full stop
Watch your step when entering the train
If riding with children, hold their hand while on train platforms and when boarding
Wear any bag with belongings cross-body, so it remains in front of you at all times
If you’re carrying a backpack, make sure it’s zipped
Pay using a METRO fare card – it prevents you from pulling cash out to pay for a rail ticket

All METRORail platforms are equipped with surveillance cameras that monitor activity.

If an emergency occurs on the platform while you’re waiting, use the emergency call box. It goes straight to MPD Dispatch.

Safety Starts With You

Do:

Please remain seated while the train is in motion
Only stand if there are no more seats available
If standing, hold on to the handrails or safety hand straps
Keep hands, feet and personal items clear from closing doors
Keep your personal items by your side
If you’re using a wheelchair, we recommend using the designated accessibility area

Don’t:

Don’t sit in the priority seating area unless you’re elderly or disabled
Don’t play music out loud inside the train
No eating or drinking on the train
Don’t lean on the doors or sit on the floors and block the doorway

Thank You for Riding

Always wait until the train comes to a complete stop before exiting
Exit the train through the door nearest to you
Watch your step when exiting the train
If riding with children, hold their hand while exiting
Wait for the train to pull away and stay alert when crossing the tracks

Vision Zero Houston

You deserve to be safe on our streets whether you’re driving, walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or riding transit.

While everyone should travel safely, people make mistakes, and we can design our streets to be forgiving so that those mistakes don’t result in fatal crashes.

Our streets support our livelihoods, and we must commit to making them safer for everyone so we can end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

How bad is the problem?

At least every other day someone loses their life
Three people a day are seriously injured

Who are the victims?

Over 30% of traffic deaths are people walking and biking in Houston
21% of pedestrian deaths are children and seniors
Nearly 60% of serious injuries are people driving

Where is this happening?

26% of traffic deaths happen on local, four-lane, undivided streets.
Just 6% of Houston’s streets account for 60% of Houston’s traffic deaths and serious injuries.

We’re working together with disability advocates, law enforcement and first responders. Our partners are:

City of Houston Planning and Development
Harris County Engineering
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Houston Health Department
Houston Police Department
Houston Public Works
Mayor’s Office
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Texas Department of Transportation

To prioritize safety and accessibility in street design for people of all ages and abilities, the plan is to:

Study the data
Identify problem areas and behaviors that may contribute to the most common causes of accidents
Evaluate everything from road and sidewalk design to bike lanes and dangerous intersections

Measurable actions will then be taken to: