METROLift

If you’re a person with a disability, you’re eligible to become a METROLift customer if you meet at least one of these criteria:

• Your disability prevents you from walking or rolling to a bus stop without assistance.
• You require assistance to board, navigate, ride or disembark from one or more of METRO’s other accessible services.
• You can use one of the other METRO accessible services but there are physical obstacles on your path which prevent you from doing so.

Eligibility decisions are based upon information provided by healthcare professionals and your functional abilities to navigate the fixed-route bus and rail system in accordance with the ADA.

Eligible riders’ certification will be classified as permanent, standard, or temporary.

Riders classified as standard or temporary will be notified by letter to reapply for services 60 days prior to the end of their eligibility period.

You must apply and do an in-person interview. You’ll then receive a final decision regarding your eligibility in writing within 21 days.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the METROLift page.

In the base service area, METROLift fares are just $1.25 for a one-way trip ($2.50 round trip). In the extended service area, the fare is $2.50 for a one-way trip ($5 round trip). If either your origin or destination (or both) are outside the base service area, the cost is $2.50 for a one-way trip ($5 for a round trip),

The base service area covers most of Harris County.

The extended service area includes locations:

• In Northwest Houston
• Around Hobby Airport
• South of Missouri City
• In and around Kingwood
• In and around Clear Lake

If you're not sure which area your origin or destination point is in, and need to calculate your fare, view the METROLift service area on our Interactive System Map.

If you make your reservation over the phone, you’ll need to:

• Hand the driver a ticket or show them your monthly or annual pass
• Show the driver your photo ID or METRO Freedom Q® Card

If you make your reservation online, your account will immediately be debited and the driver will be notified. So you won’t have to hand the driver a ticket or pass. You’ll only need to show them your photo ID or METRO Freedom Q® Card.

All METROLift customers automatically receive a METRO Freedom Q® Card when their eligibility is initially certified.

Yes, when either of the following takes place:

• Your trip includes a transfer to another accessible METRO service
• You’re called for jury duty

There are three ways you can schedule a trip on METROLift:

• Log in and set up an account on our MACS-WEB online trip planner. You can then schedule your trips Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Call our automated phone system at 713-739-4690 (Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.). You’ll need to have your METROLift ID number and password.
• Speak to a live agent by calling 713-225-6716 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

There are also three ways you can confirm or cancel your trip on METROLift:

• Log in to our MACS-WEB online trip planner. You can confirm or cancel trips any time of the day.
• Call our automated phone system at 713-739-4690. You can confirm or cancel trips any time of the day. You’ll need to have your METROLift ID number and password.
• Speak to a live agent by calling METROLift Dispatch at 713-225-0410. You can confirm or cancel trips any time of the day.

For more information, visit the METROLift page.

On Fridays, a live agent can schedule trips for Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

In all other instances and with all other methods, trips must be scheduled the day before travel.

The time windows during which trips can be scheduled vary depending on the method you use:

• MACS-WEB online trip planner: Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Automated phone system - 713-739-4690 - Mon-Sun, 5 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Live agent - 713-225-6716 - Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

If something comes up and you need to schedule a trip on the same day, you can call METROLift at 713-652-8015.

You can book trips up to four miles one way.

Trips in the base service area: require one one-way trip ticket each way ($2.50 round trip)

Trips in the extended service area: require two one-way trip tickets each way ($5 round trip)

Our goal is to serve trips within one hour of your request.

Each trip is subject to availability.

When booking your trip, you'll be given a requested time with a plus or minus 20-minute scheduling window. If the scheduling window does not meet your needs, you may negotiate a new scheduling window of one hour before or after your requested time.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), travel times and the timeliness of service are comparable to METRO local bus service.

You can access an online copy of the METROLift program guide here or request a printed copy by calling METROLift Customer Service (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) at 713-225-0119.

An ADA-accessible van (pictured first) or ADA-accessible minivan (pictured second). Both accommodate a variety of mobility devices including wheelchairs, scooters and walkers.

 

Although you don’t get to choose which vehicle will pick you up, the size of your mobility equipment could determine vehicle type.

Service animal

Yes. You’re allowed to travel with a service animal.

Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, and must be kept under the handler’s control.

Non-service animals (including emotional support animals)

Yes. You’re allowed to travel with non-service animals (pets) on METRO vehicles, but they must be transported and properly restrained in an animal carrier at all times.