Westchase District Transportation Fairs

August through October 2010

METRO Community Outreach joins STAR services and the Westchase Management District in hosting Transportation Fairs throughout the Westchase District in August through October. Staff is onsite with transit and vanpool information. Come and visit us in Westchase this
fall.

Spring Branch Family Center on 8575 Pitner

August 14, 2010

Over 4,000 attended this year this mega event in Spring Branch. METRO Community Outreach hosted an information table at the event. In addition to providing up to date service and METRO Q® Fare Card information, METRO featured a free photo booth for old fashion photos of parents and their kids.

Posting of Service Change Notices

August 12, 2010

Community Outreach staff joins Operations to put out notices to bus stop poles for patrons on the 78 Irvington route to update them on upcoming August service changes.

Community Outreach, Marketing and AAFS staff

August 2, 2010

The Asian American Family Services (AAFS) Youth Program learned how the METRO bus and rail system worked in Houston on a recent field trip. For many of the students, this was their first time on METRO. Program managers worked in conjunction with METRO Community Outreach and Marketing staff to plan their trip from Houston's Chinatown area to Hermann Park and the Museum District. The program began with a presentation from METRO staff on how the METRO system worked, followed by the students boarding the 2 Bellaire and transferring to METRORail to the final destination. On the way, students were taught various features of the bus and rail system.

Ripley House - East End Back to School Fair

July 31, 2010
 
Neighborhood Centers hosted their annual Back to School Fair at Ripley House with over 300 families that participated in vaccinating their children and receiving school supplies for the upcoming new school year.
 

Event: Annual University METRO Q® Fare Card Recruitment Event at Baylor College of Medicine

July 28-29, 2010

Community Outreach and Revenue staff join forces to recruit new and returning Baylor Medical students to METRO's Q Card program for university students. The University Q Card allows students to ride METRO for 50% off regular fares. Hundreds of students came by METRO's processing table during the two day orientation in July.

Meeting: Midtown Urban Planning Committee Meeting of the Midtown Management District

July 22, 2010

METRO staff met with the Planning Committee members to discuss future plans for new shelters and upgrading current shelters at high boarding locations in Midtown. Pablo Valle made a presentation on the study conducted by his office of the midtown area.

SH 288/Brazoria County Park & Ride Public Meeting

July 20-22, 2010

Area residents actively participated in two public meetings regarding proposed Park and Ride location.

KBR Transit Fair

July 20th and 21st, 2010

METRO's Community Outreach staff assisted KBR with their transportation needs while they prepare to move from the Clinton East End home office to the downtown area early next year.

Chinese Community Center Summer Fair

July 15, 2010

The CCC (Chinese Community Center) held their annual summer fair with many local agencies that provided resources for the community. METRO's Community Outreach provided local and rail information and promoted safety and other programs.

Museum District Business Alliance Luncheon

July 15, 2010

Acting President and CEO George Greanias shared the vision for the “New METRO” at the MDBA monthly luncheon.  METRO staff conversed with
Montrose area business and community leaders about METRO’s future plans for the area.  

South Point Park and Ribbon-Cutting

July 12, 2010

Community Outreach hosted a celebration to highlight the completion of the South Point Park & Ride parking lot expansion. South Belt area community leaders and elected officials participated along with METRO leadership to cut the ribbon to commemorate the addition of 390 additional parking spaces for riders of the 297 South Point/ Monroe which travels to the Texas Medical Center.

Freedom Over Texas Festival on Allen Parkway

July 4, 2010

METRO provided two cool down buses for the crowds at the festival. Pictured is METRO Outreach and Operations Staff setting up the banner for one of the buses. Community Outreach staff also hosted an information tent that conducted surveys from the crowds at the festival.

National Railroad Historical Organization

June 24, 2010

Members of Community Outreach and Rail Operations staff led a tour of the ROC for national members of the National Railroad Historical Society in Houston as part of their convention activities. Fifty three members attended the tour and learned about how METRO keeps their trains running. The tour included information on transit services as well.

Independence Heights Annual Juneteenth Parade

Saturday, June 19, 2010

With the neighborhood’s emphasis on the historical heritage of Independence Heights, METRO’s Antique Bus was a natural to join the parade. The Antique Bus chauffeured five beauty pageant winners, including Ms. Black Texas and Miss Black Talented Teen, along the 1.5 miles parade route. In addition to HPD participation, METRO P.D. made sure the parade ran smoothly along the route with two patrol cars and one motorcycle.

Juneteenth Celebration in Acres Home

Saturday, June 19, 2010

From 9 AM to 12 Noon, METRO stationed a bus near the vendor tables and barbeque pit, and alongside the Little League fields at St. Monica’s in Acres Home. Players, coaches, siblings and parents took time off between tournament games to get acquainted with METRO by getting on board.

World Refugee Day

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Community Outreach staff hosted an information table at this year's World Refugee Day celebrations at the Westland Family YMCA in Southwest Houston. Refugees from all over the world were present for the event. Attendees came by the information table to get local transit information

Juneteenth Celebration (at Walmart Super Center, Hwy 290 & Tidwell)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Senior Day

Friday, June 18, 2010

Community Outreach staff was present at this year's Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) National Convention in Houston Senior Day. METRO staff hosted an information table for area seniors that were invited to a health seminar at the convention. Attendees were provided with METRO Q® Fare Card registration information and general transit How to Ride guides.

Energy Corridor - Bike to Work Day

Thursday, May 20, 2010

METRO Community Outreach joins Energy Corridor District staff in promoting the 75 Connector at this year's Bike to Work Day in the Energy Corridor. Visitors to the information table are reminded that METRO buses are accessible to cyclists with racks in front of the bus on the 75 Connector.

Gulfton Festival 2010

Saturday, May 15, 2010

METRO's Hispanic Marketing campaign kicks-off at the Gulfton Festival on May 15. This summer, Community Outreach will join our Marketing Street teams at various events to promote METRO service. Featured at these events include a photo booth (pictured) and our Abuelita commercial star.

Westlake Club Day in the Energy Corridor

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Community Outreach staff joined Energy Corridor District, Nuride and METRO Star vanpool services staff in front of Westlake Club to promote the vanpool services and the new 75 Energycorridor connector bus service. Hundreds of visitors from surrounding office complexes came by the event that featured both our services and surrounding businesses.

WMA Zoo Earth Day 2010

Saturday, April 24, 2010

METRO Community Outreach and STAR Service staff were on hand at this year's Earth Day at the Zoo. METRO's green program materials were distributed to visitors that came by the booth. Information on Bikes on Buses, METRORail, METRO Solutions were handed with herb seed packets.

Astro's Green Day - Celebrating Earth Day 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Community Outreach staff was out on Earth Day and one of the stops was at the Astro's Green Day celebration. Staff handed out rail banks and herb seed packs with bus and rail information at the park.

Fresh Air Friday 2010

Friday, April 16, 2010

METRO's staff was on hand for Fresh Air Friday this year to showcase our newest MCI Hybrid Bus and STAR van service. Staff answered questions on service and distributed information. Thousands of employees from the downtown area attended this year's event.

AVANCE Presentations

April 7, 8 and 13

Community Outreach staff completed their final presentations to AVANCE clients during the past week to wrap up our education program at AVANCE. The final session included discussion on METROLift, HOVL, METRO STAR Service and METRO Solutions.

Houston Earth Day 2010

Saturday, April 3, 2010

METRO Community Outreach and METRO STAR staff kick off April's green activities at the annual Houston Earth Day 2010. Staff hosted an information tent featuring the latest bus, rail and vanpool information. Hundreds of visitors came by our table. April activities is all about green and METRO staff will be out in the community the entire month at various events and festivals.

South Central Sportz and Science Fair Opening Day

March 27, 2010

METRO's Community Outreach along with METRO PD were on hand for the South Central Sportz and Port City Links Opening Day Ceremonies and Science Fair. The weather was great as little leaguers, parents, community partners and elected officials came together for the 9th Annual South Central Sportz Opening Day. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee personally greeted the attendees at the event and commended the supporters and sponsors for their commitment to the youth games as well as to the community for sharing valuable information on METRO's programs and services. District D Councilwoman Wanda Adams and METRO Officer Roger Salazar share jokes about their previous athletic feats! METRO Director Karen Marshall shows the crowd how to get a really good spin on the METRO Spinning Wheel game. The METRO Officer Nancy DeMartin and her Canine Officer Roxy were a big hit with the Kids at South Central Opening Day.

Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau Reunion Expo 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

METRO Community Outreach staff was present at this year's Expo to discuss METRO service and fares to meeting planners attending the Expo. Information on METRORail, Airport Direct and other services were distributed to planners attending the Expo.

METRO Information table at Viet Hoa 2010 Lunar New Year

Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010

METRO's Diversity Council Members joined Community Outreach staff in greeting the Lunar New Year at this year's Viet Hoa Plaza celebrations.
Staff was on hand all weekend to hand out METRO red packets and service information to the crowds that came by our table.

Presentation and Information table at Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Quarterly Management Meeting

Feb. 24, 2010

METRO Community Outreach staff was on hand for the NCI Quarterly Management Meeting. Karen Marshall presented a general overview of METRO and C.O. staff fielded questions at the presentation and at the information table set up for NCI managers. Latest information on METRO
Solutions, METRO Service and METRO Q® Fare Card were covered.

How to Use the METRO Q® Fare Card

Feb., 2010

METRO conducted a "How to Use the METRO Q® Fare Card" presentation at 4 AVANCE Centers during the month of February. These parent training sessions were part of METRO's Transit Education Collaborative with AVANCE Inc.

These sessions were held at the AVANCE Jensen, Mt. Houston, Acres Homes and Ketelsen locations. The presentation was the third in a series of transit education training sessions for AVANCE clients aimed at highlighting the many benefits of riding METRO.

Love is All Around at AVANCE 2010 Annual Celebration

Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

KPRC Traffic Reporter Jennifer Reyna served as the Mistress of Ceremonies at the 2010 AVANCE Annual Celebration. METRO Community Outreach Director, Karen Marshall and Media Specialist, Carolina Mendoza are all smiles as they proudly represent the Authority. METRO and AVANCE have collaborated on a series of engagements at various AVANCE Head Start sites to help educate parents on the benefits of using METRO.

METRO Media Specialist, Carolina Mendoza and her husband, Jesus Mendoza enjoy an early Valentine night out at the AVANCE 2010 Annual Celebration. Mayor Annise Parker was among the special guests for the evening.

Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park, Houston

Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

METRO's Community Outreach and Diversity Council staff were out in the cold to great the New Year festival attendees at this year's Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February, 13. At this year's METRO booth, staff distributed traditional "red packets" to visitors as well as information on the Quickline route in the area. METRO's next booth in the area will be at the VietHoa Center @ Beltway Plaza on the weekend of Feburary, 27 and 28 when the community comes together to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.

Avance Locations at Mt. Houston, Jensen, Acres Homes and
Ketelson

Feb. 8, 9 and 11

Community Outreach staff was out at Avance locations during the week of Feb. 9th to present METRO Q® Fare Card features to Avance clients at four locations. These presentations were third in a series of presentations to the non-profit organization's clients on how METRO can help them get around Houston.

Semi Annual University Student METRO Q® Fare Card Recruitment and Renewal - University of Houston Main Campus

Tuesday, Feb. 2 -Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010

Community Outreach staff joined the METRO Revenue and IT Departments at University of Houston in February to recruit students into the METRO Q® Fare Card program. Working with the University's Marketing Dept. staff were on campus for two days to process METRO Q® application forms.

METRO® Q Fare Card Recruitment and Renewal - TMC Commons

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

METRO Community Outreach and Revenue staff partnered to host an event to recruit and renew METRO Q® Fare Cards for University students in the Texas Medical Center area. Students who did not have a METRO Q® were able to get one at the event. A number of current students were able to extend their METRO Q® contracts. The METRO Q® recruitment and renew campaign continues at University of Houston main campus in February. Look for more locations coming this Spring.

Memorial Hermann Sports Institute Expo

Jan. 15-16, 2010

METRO Community Outreach staff joined forces with City of Houston's Convention and Visitor representatives to help staff the visitor's information center at this year's runner's exposition prior to the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon. The visitor's center provided exposition attendees with bus, rail and local destination information. This year, the center was sponsored by Merrill Lynch.