On Friday, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) met with leadership from Houston METRO and toured the METRORapid Silver Line to discuss public transit projects that will benefit from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—the largest federal investment in public transit in U.S. history.

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will invest $3.3 billion in Texas to modernize public transit, improve accessibility, and expand public transportation options for projects like METRONext,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Through the IIJA, Congress has prioritized investments in the modernization and expansion of public transit for Houston families and people across the country.  I was glad to ride the Silver Line and discuss the IIJA’s impacts with METRO representatives as well as METRO’s goals and plans, and what we can achieve with federal investments in public transit in Houston.”

The METRORapid Silver Line is a bus rapid transit system in Houston that uses dedicated lanes and stations similar to light rail to move passengers.  It runs along Post Oak Boulevard connecting Uptown Houston to two major transit centers.  

Congresswoman Fletcher voted in support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act when it passed the House in November 2021.  The bill provides direct support to communities upgrading their infrastructure and improving their transportation.  It includes $5.1 billion for the Buses and Bus Facilities grant program, to rehabilitate or purchase buses and construct bus facilities, and $7.5 billion for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants for surface transportation projects that will have significant local or regional impacts.  METRO can apply for these grants to fund expansion of Bus Rapid Transit and other transportation projects.