METRO Launches Lone Star Connector

Lone Star College students at the Houston North Fallbrook campus have a new service to help them get to and from class on METRO.

The Authority launched the Lone Star College Connector during its January service change to fill a need in the community.

Former Student Government President Estavieze Shephard advocated for himself and fellow classmates who rely on public transit to get to the campus.

“He came to our leadership team, and he talked to us about how he was walking for 22 minutes from Veterans Memorial to get to this site because it had the classes he needed,” explained Lone Star College-Houston North President Dr. Quentin Wright. “It’s because of his efforts that led to the first letter.”

That letter resulted in creation of the Lone Star Connector, which runs six and a half miles with stops at the Lone Star College – Houston North campus, Walmart, and Fallbrook Church. The route provides connections to three local bus routes — 85 Antoine / Washington, 86 FM 1960 / Imperial Valley and 96 Veterans Memorial.

Riders can also use the connector to access METRO’s broader network, including Park & Rides and transit centers, as well as destinations including Willowbrook Mall, the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital complex, and downtown Houston.

"Convenient, high-quality transit is essential for communities because it gives people a safe, sustainable, and affordable way to get to schools, job opportunities, health care, grocery stores, parks, recreational facilities, and other essential destinations," said METRO's Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran.

"Convenient, high-quality transit is essential for communities because it gives people a safe, sustainable, and affordable way to get to schools, job opportunities, health care, grocery stores, parks, recreational facilities, and other essential destinations," said METRO's Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran.

The connector runs every 30 minutes, Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Students interested in riding METRO can obtain a discounted fare card.

"The two main issues we have with students, one is money and the other is just transportation issues," said Lone Star College Chancellor Dr. Stephen C. Head, "If we can get them here, we can at least give them the opportunity to be successful." Watch the full event livestream.

METRO and Lone Star College officials celebrate the launch of a connector service for the school’s Houston North Fallbrook campus.