Questions & Answers: About METRO

We recommend you first visit our Careers page to see the variety of positions we staff, benefits we offer, organizational development opportunities and more. If you'd like to go directly to our current job postings, please follow the guidance below.

For non-METRO employees:

View all current METRO career opportunities here.

For METRO employees:

If you're logged in to the METRO network, you can see what’s available and apply by accessing the METROWorks Portal on METRO’s intranet site.

If you're outside the METRO network, you can see what's available and apply by logging in with your METRO username and password.

All applications must be submitted online.

Every job description page has an apply now button. Just click or tap that button to log in to your current account. If you’re a first-time applicant, you’ll be asked to create a new account with an option to receive future notifications about new job postings. 

Once you’re logged in, you can complete and submit your application.

The METRO application process is mobile-friendly, so you can easily apply from a computer, phone or tablet.

After you apply for a position, you’ll receive an email confirmation letting you know your application was received.

If you meet the minimum qualifications and are advanced through the process, you’ll receive an email notification.

An email notification will also be sent if you’re not advanced in the process. Reasons for this could include an incomplete application and/or not meeting the minimum requirements for the position.

You can always log in to your online profile to check your current application status as well.

If you have further questions about your application, please contact our staffing team.

The length of the hiring process varies by position.

For union employees:

METRO offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and AD&D
• Short-term disability
• Wellness incentives

You're not required to enroll in every health plan. You may select medical only, dental only or vision only.

Changes can only be made to your health benefits during Annual Enrollment or if you have a Qualifying Event such as the birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce. death or your spouse or dependent child having lost or gained health coverage.

Access detailed benefits information on the Health and Welfare Trust website.

For non-union employees:

METRO offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and AD&D
• Disability and leave benefits
• Various forms of insurance coverage
• Wellness incentives

You're not required to enroll in every health plan. You may select medical only, dental only or vision only.

Changes can only be made to your health benefits during Annual Enrollment or if you have a Qualifying Event such as the birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce. death or your spouse or dependent child having lost or gained health coverage.

Access detailed benefits information by viewing our benefits guide PDF.

For full-time, union employees:

Paid time off (PTO) is determined as follows (certain restrictions and stipulations apply):

*A vacation week consists of seven consecutive days including an employee's day off.

Paid time off (PTO) is also made up of the following per calendar year:

• Nine designated holidays
• Eight hours of birthday pay
• Eight hours of anniversary date pay

Employee days and paid holidays may not be carried over from year to year.

Full-time union employees who have completed at least six months of employment with METRO are also eligible to receive paid sick days, if needed.

For full-time, non-union employees:

Paid time off (PTO) is determined as follows (certain restrictions and stipulations apply):

Paid time off (PTO) is also made up of the following per calendar year:

• Three employee days (after six months of employment)
• Up to four well days (after three months of employment)
• Nine designated holidays

Employee days and paid holidays may not be carried over from year to year.

The six month waiting period for paid vacation credits is waived for hourly employees who transfer to salaried status with more than six months of employment with METRO.

Full-time, non-union employees also receive a bank of 80 hours for paid sick leave during the calendar year.

METRO observes nine designated holidays during the calendar year:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Union employees who perform work on recognized holidays earn eight hours of holiday pay at their regular rate, plus pay for actual hours worked on the holiday at the rate of 1.5 times their regular rate of pay. If a holiday falls on an employees' day off, that employee will still receive holiday pay.

Employees may elect to continue healthcare coverage up to 18 months upon leaving METRO, or up to 36 months in the event of a qualifying status change.

Under federal guidelines, to continue COBRA insurance coverage the COBRA recipient must pay 102% of the combined employer and employee rates.

Yes. For newly hired, full-time union and non-union employees, METRO offers both of the following:

• 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• 401(a) defined contribution plan

Both are administered by Empower Retirement.

METRO automatically contributes 4% of your annual salary to your 401(a).

Additionally, if you choose to contribute money to your 457(b) deferred compensation plan, METRO will match your contribution up to 4% and put it in your 401(a). That money will not appear on your paycheck; it's deposited directly in your 401(a) retirement plan.

To receive retirement funds from your 401(a), newly hired, full-time union and non-union employees must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:

• Work at METRO for a minimum of two years
• Work at least 1,000 hours per year

The vesting schedule is as follows:

Non-union employees:

You qualify for normal retirement at age 65, with five years of vested service.

You qualify for early retirement if you meet either of these criteria:

• Age 55, with 15 years vested service
• Age 60, with five years vested service

Union employees:

You qualify for normal retirement if you meet either of these criteria:

• Age 60, with five years vested service
• Any age with 28 years vested service

You qualify for early retirement at age 55 with 25 years vested service.

All retirees (both union and non-union) receive $25,000 in life insurance at no cost.

Yes. All regular, full-time union and non-union employees are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year when attending an accredited school. To be eligible, an employee must meet a set of requirements, degree or certification. Please ask ahead of time for details.

Yes. All METRO employees receive a transit pass for themselves and a spouse (if applicable). The pass entitles the user to ride the following METRO transit services free of charge at all times:

• Local bus
• Park & Ride commuter express bus
• METRORail
• METRORapid
• METRO curb2curb

No, all employees are required to work their regular schedules, on-site at their assigned locations.

Yes. METRO employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Certain restrictions apply. You can find out more about the program here.

Yes. Leave of absence options available to METRO employees are:

• Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Intermittent and reduced schedule leave
• Personal leave of absence
• Military Leave
• Qualifying exigency leave
• Military caregiver leave
• Short-term disability leave of absence
• Long-term disability leave of absence
• Medical leave of absence (Union employees only)

Yes. METRO provides a monthly, after-tax benefit of $200 to provide assistance with child care. To receive the benefit, employees must register with the TOOTRiS child care technology platform which connects parents and providers. If you currently use a child care facility that isn't on the TOOTRiS platform, TOOTRiS will work with that facility to get them signed up.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is when homes, stores and/or other amenities are built close to public transportation routes and stops. This makes it easier for people to get around without having to use a car.

The Tidwell TOD Plan is a pilot program to explore transit-oriented development at the existing Tidwell Transit Center and the area surrounding it.

The Tidwell TOD Plan recommends projects and policies that will:

• Enhance connectivity
• Promote walkability and sustainability
• Support equity through economic development and affordable housing

The Tidwell TOD Plan includes:

• Design concepts that show the potential redevelopment of the area around the Tidwell Transit Center and potential improvements to the transportation network
• Plans for future METRORapid service at and in the area surrounding the Tidwell Transit Center
• Assessments of housing, economic development, mobility and market conditions in and around the Tidwell Transit Center

The Tidwell Transit Center currently serves three local bus routes:

• 6 Jensen / Greens
• 45 Tidwell
• 83 Lee Road - JFK

The Tidwell Transit Center property is owned by METRO, but the plan looks at the surrounding area beyond the transit center. Any identifiable improvements to non-METRO property could potentially be partially or fully funded by METRO.

METRO received funding from the Federal Transit Administration under the "Pilot Program for TOD Planning" grant and a local match contribution.

The plan cost approximately $470,000 to develop.

The Tidwell TOD Plan was finalized in December 2023 and includes a detailed action plan. METRO is coordinating with stakeholders to implement this action plan. The next major step is to issue a solicitation to developers for the redevelopment of the transit center.

Provide written feedback for the project team

Send questions, suggestions and general comments about the project here.

Residents, business owners, organizers and community members in the Eastex-Jensen neighborhood should:

• Sign up for project updates using your email or mobile number. We will send out communication when there are open houses, meetings and surveys
• Send any questions, suggestions or general comments to us using our public comments portal
• Participate in public input surveys
• Attend public meetings. A listing of scheduled meetings can be found in the Events tab

METRO needs input from the community since you are the ones who live, work and experience the area every day.

No further public meetings will be held for the Tidwell TOD Plan. 

• Sign up for project updates using your email or mobile number. We will send out communication when there are open houses, meetings and surveys.
• Send any questions, suggestions or general comments to us using our public comments portal.
• Participate in public input surveys.
• Attend public meetings. A listing of scheduled meetings can be found in the Events tab.

METRO is seeking to improve the customer experience by replacing the existing transit center and building a new garage facility near the existing property.

Facility Enhancements:

• Parking for approximately 500 vehicles in a multi-level garage
• Full-service transit center seamlessly linking METRO services for the Northside community
• Attractive landscaping

Service Enhancements:

• Modern facility design to move buses easily in and out of the transit center
• Covered bus bays
• Convenient connections to Downtown, Texas Medical Center, and other locations with service options

Safety Enhancements:

• Reduced walking distance for customers
• Camera-monitored facility with METRO Police patrol
• Traffic signals to maintain consistent traffic flow

The Northline Transit Center project estimate at this stage is approximately $40 million. METRO will continue to seek Federal Transit Administration funding and there may be opportunities for private partners to participate in the project through Transit Oriented Development opportunities.

METRO has contacted property owners that may potentially be affected by the project and will continue to keep them informed as we go through the design process. The METRO Real Estate department will follow all policies and procedures relative to notification, negotiation, and purchase of any property in the area.

No, that has not been done. However, historically, transit investments have tended to increase property values by improving access and connectivity. METRO relies on qualified and recognized property appraisers who have the expertise to value property and analyze market trends. As an example, from 2014 to 2018, the Harris County Appraisal District found a 40-60% growth rate in areas closest to the METRO Red Line corridor.

The proposed parking structure would hold approximately 500 vehicles. METRO proposes a new traffic signal at the transit center entrance that would be coordinated with the other traffic signals on Fulton Street. Further, METRO will work with the City of Houston to improve traffic flow in the area.

Initially, no new bus routes are proposed for the area. However, METRO regularly evaluates bus service and makes modifications as needed. It’s METRO practice to engage the public prior to any new service proposal or change to existing service and provide opportunities for input.

METRO will take existing and potential traffic patterns into consideration. We’ll work with the City of Houston and/or other regional partners to improve traffic flow by installing traffic signals and making other necessary improvements.

Conceptual plans include an enclosed space for a variety of possible uses.

To be a partner, your property must meet these requirements:

• Property must be located one-half mile or less from a bus / rail line
• METRO service must be easily accessible
• Frequency of METRO service must be every 20 minutes or less

In an on-site meeting with property management, we’ll provide an overview of how to ride METRO and/or schedule how-to-ride training session(s) for property management and staff. We’ll also identify additional activities to educate residents on METRO services.

We provide training on how to:

• Publicize and conduct on-site METRO Q Fare Card registration events for residents
• Publicize and partner with METRO on how-to-ride training
• Include METRO info in new resident welcome packets and on your website
• Participate in METRO’s Adopt-A-Stop / Adopt-A-Shelter program

We’ll follow up with you to review progress, assess training needs and adapt and restock marketing materials. 

Companies are invoiced for all activity during the first week of every month. Invoices are payable in full within 30 days from the date of the invoice.

• Private employers
• Nonprofits
• Public agencies
• Federal government agencies
• Educational institutions

You can manage your employees’ METRO Q Fare Cards online. You have the option of setting up a monthly automatic reload called a subscription, or you can opt to do periodic manual reloads to the fare cards.

It functions like a debit card for riding METRO. Money is automatically deducted each time the user pays their fare. The card can be used on any of the following services:

• Local bus
• Park & Ride commuter express bus
• METRORail
• METRORapid
• METRO curb2curb

For all services except Park & Ride bus service, the regular fare to board is $1.25 and the discounted fare is 60 cents. For Park & Ride bus service, the regular fare to board ranges from $2-8 depending on your location. The discounted fare is half price.

Cards are provided free of charge to Corporate RideSponsors, for distribution to employees.

Businesses like yours can offer no-cost transit benefits to employees through our Distributor program. Providing on-site access to METRO Q® Fare Cards is completely free and requires minimal effort. You provide the METRO fare cards and your employees can load funds onto them when ready to ride.

The maximum amount is $500 for each wallet on the card.

Both options are possible. You can request that all cards initially be registered to the company, or you can choose to have each employee register their own card and allow them to add money to a second wallet belonging to the employee. This option would allow two wallets on one card; the employer and employee.

Yes. Corporate RideSponsor-issued cards are automatically registered to the company, unless the Corporate RideSponsor elects to have the cards registered to their employees.

All registered cards can have the value transferred to a replacement card by METRO at any of our RideStore locations.

Yes. You can make it a policy that all cards are company property, which means that employees would need to procure a second card strictly for personal use.

If you’re outside the service area but have customers who use METRO services, you can participate.

No. All discounted fare cards have to be obtained online or at a METRO RideStore.

Call us at 713-739-4806 for phone tech support, available from Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and outside these hours when availability permits. If we’re not able to resolve the issue over the phone, we will schedule an in-person tech support visit at your location.

Yes. You can choose any minimum reload amount you want, including no minimum.

The program is free except for the discount you need to honor when a customer shows a valid fare item. It’s up to you what discount to offer. Typical discounts are:

• 10-15% off
• $1.00-2.00 off
• Free drink or side item
• Buy one, get one free

The program operates under the assumption that anyone presenting a valid METRO fare item gets the discount. Riders can show the cashier one of these valid fare items:

• METRO Q Card
• RideMETRO app ticket
• METRO Day Pass
• METRO Money Card
• METRO Veterans Pass
• Jury summons
• Paper ticket
• METRO Convention Pass

We’ll feature your business logo, address and discount offer on our website, in social media posts and in email newsletters, giving you increased visibility to a broad audience.

Though we can’t predict how much additional business you may have, our goal is to increase awareness of your business among our riders.

You can leave the program or make changes to your Rider Rewards offer anytime. Just notify us at RiderRewards@RideMETRO.org at least two weeks prior to the effective date.

Your company covers employee transportation costs when they commute via mass transit (bus or vanpool). Employees don't pay taxes on the value of this benefit.

Your company shares transit commuting costs with employees and everyone can receive valuable tax savings. Employers can provide a portion of the cost of taking transit or vanpooling as a tax-free benefit and allow the employee to exchange taxable salary for a tax-free bus or vanpool benefit.

It's when you offer employees the option to “cash out” of their existing parking space. In other words, you can offer your employees their parking space cost in the form of taxable salary or tax-free transportation benefits.

No. When employees exchange taxable salary for a tax-free bus or vanpool benefit, the amount exchanged isn't subject to payroll taxes. Employees save money because this reduces their amount of taxable income.

METRO will be active on the SAP Ariba on August 27, 2024 (updated from June 3, 2024). Suppliers will be notified when they can register in the August timeframe.

Yes, METRO recorded a vendor summit event and has this recording along with other training videos on the procurement webpage under the Resource Center area.

Yes, solicitations will continue to appear on Bonfire until the transition is completed.

Starting August 27, 2024, METRO will use SAP Ariba for professional service RFx (sourcing) and throughout the construction phase of a contract. 

No, SAP Ariba will not replace any other procurement applications of METRO. Alster, GovSpend will continue to function as is.

• Tax Identification Number (TIN): EIN or SSN
• General Contact information
• Year founded
• Small Business Certification dates (if applicable)
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) Codes. These codes identify a supplier by their specialty, trade and/or line of business. You will receive email notifications based on the codes selected in your business network profile. 

METRO will distribute email invitations to suppliers to begin the registration process in August 2024.

No, registration is free.

Yes, you will be able to use your existing SAP Business Network account login. One SAP Business Network account can support many relationships with other network accounts.

Any technical issues can be sent by email to Procurement@RideMETRO.org.

Yes, we encourage you to create an account now in order for you to receive invitations for bidding opportunities based on the commodity codes you have entered. 

If you did not receive an email, please email us at Procurement@ridemetro.org.

There are several reasons why you did not receive an email, we will look at your profile and make the necessary updates to resend the invite.

The email invitation will contain two options: a link to login to an existing SAP Business Network account, and a link to create an SAP Business Network account, if you have not created one already.

There are two types of relationships on the SAP Business Network: A Sourcing Relationship and a Trading Relationship. Sourcing Relationships support supplier registration, sourcing events and contract negotiation. Trading Relationships support purchase orders, purchase order confirmations, ship notices, invoices and payments. Your business might only have a Sourcing Relationship, only have a Trading Relationship or both.

It is the Sourcing Relationship that enables a supplier to own the information they are sharing with a buyer and to be able to update that information, as needed, through the network.

The primary criteria for METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification are company size and net worth of the owner(s). The size limits are determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) standards and the maximum net worth of each owner(s) is $2.047M.

METRO offers a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification for eligible firms. Access the list of SBE certified firms.

METRO also accepts Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications from any DBE certifying agency and the 8(a) certification from the Small Business Administration. Learn more about the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) and see the list of DBE certifying agencies in Texas.

METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification is free of charge.

During the solicitation process the following METRO SBE program requirements are in place for primes responding to solicitations with small business goals. To be deemed responsive:

• All certified and non-certified primes must self-perform a minimum of 30% of the contract value, regardless of the small business participation goal percentage.
• A certified or non-certified prime cannot self-perform 100% of their bid/proposal value.
• All certified and non-certified primes must, at a minimum, meet the small business participation goal percentage.
• All certified primes must subcontract, at a minimum, 50% of the small business participation goal to one or more certified firms.
• The prime cannot submit a Good Faith Effort (GFE) response. All subcontractors and suppliers, which are being used to satisfy the scope of work for the project, must be included on the Contractor Utilization Plan form.

On projects with a small business goal, certified subcontractors can be on up to 4 bids/proposals for the same solicitation.

Certified firms can respond as a prime and a subcontractor on one other team for the same solicitation.

Only the participation of METRO SBE certification and DBE certifications (which include SBA-8a) count towards the small business goal.

After the award of a contract, the prime must (but not limited to):

• Adhere to all compliance requirements of the METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs.
• Get pre-approval from the Office of Economic Business Opportunity (OEBO) prior to removing or adding certified and non-certified subcontractors to the team.
• Must utilize the current SBE/DBE compliance tracking and reporting system, B2Gnow.
• Replace the removal of a certified firm with another certified firm (determined on a case-by-case basis)
• Involve OEBO in the dispute resolution process on SB-related matters.
• Adhere to the Prompt Payment Policy on contracts with small business goals: prime must make payments to subcontractors within five business days of receipt of funds from METRO.
• Meet their Small Business Goal Commitment or risk a negative OEBO evaluation on a new solicitation.

METRO’s payment terms for contracts with a small business goal is 15 business days.

The OEBO Contract Compliance staff monitor all SBE and DBE activity on all METRO contracts with small business goals and ensures compliance with all local and federal regulations.

If you need assistance, please call OEBO at 713-739-4844 or send an email to small.business@ridemetro.org. 

Access our compliance system to search, renew, or apply to join our database of certified vendors.

Detailed instructions for responding to a solicitation are included in the solicitation document(s). To facilitate the process, METRO recommends the following:

1. Register as a vendor for automatic e-mail notifications of new solicitations and updates that are aligned with your company’s services.
2. Check the METRO website for upcoming procurement opportunities.
3. Attend the METRO pre-bid / pre-proposal conferences.

For additional procurement information, email us at procurement@ridemetro.org.

The METRO SBE Business Assessment collects critical information to help craft the best recommendation on how your firm can effectively compete in the procurement process. This assessment is done via one-on-one sessions and the utilization of the METRO Online SBE Business Assessment Tool.

Yes. Through our business networking forums, you can get tips on doing business with METRO and connecting with decision-makers.

With the goal of maximizing opportunities with the business community, METRO is seeking to build certified small business capacity for the following types of work:

• Rail construction
  • Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS)
  • Traction Power Substations (TPSS)
  • Concrete pouring for platform construction
  • Laying track
  • Rail ties
• Bridge construction
• Boring and tunneling
• Major IT equipment (authorized supplier)
• IT (SAP certification and modules)
• Street sweeping (with water and vacuum option)
• Sound walls
• Specialized trucks (waste removal, fuel tank cleaning, etc.)
• Fuel transportation
• Underground fuel storage tanks
• Personal property claims (non-real estate property)
• Bus wrapping
• Solar energy provider/installer

Yes. To inquire about METRO’s Fast Track SBE certification, email Keandra.Brooks@RideMETRO.org.

Permits and training are free.

Charges per hour are:

METRO will prepare and send you an invoice within 30 days of completion of the work. Payment is due within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

A Red Tag is required to work within a ten-foot radius of the OCS necessitating a power down.

It’s the area within 15 feet of the centerline of any track.

The Work Zone is the area of work within defined limits, where movement of rail equipment is governed by the Flagger. The Safety Zone is the Trackway, which may include other areas such as the street, shared poles on sidewalks and substations.