Frequently Asked Questions — How to Ride METRO

METRORail trains make stops at rail station platforms along city streets in and around downtown Houston. You can also board a METRORail train at the following transit centers:

• Burnett (Red Line)
• Downtown (Red Line)
• Fannin South (Red Line)
• Magnolia Park (Green Line)
• Northline (Red Line)
• Palm Center (Purple Line)
• Texas Medical Center (Red Line)

All METRORail trains have large, bright destination signs on the front of the train above the windshield and along the side of the train as it pulls into the station.

Red Line trains would say one of the following:

• Northline TC
• Smith Lands
• Fannin South

Green Line trains would say one of the following:

• Magnolia Park
• Theater District

Purple Line trains would say one of the following:

• Palm Center TC
• Theater District

Alerts or detours could affect your train’s arrival time and/or the length of your trip. Subscribing to receive this information is a convenient way to know before you go.

On the METRO website, you can subscribe to receive notifications direct to your phone or email.

The quickest and easiest signup option can be found next to each rail line on the METRORail page.

All subscriptions are free and you can unsubscribe at any time.

If you don’t wish to subscribe, you can use any of the following:

• METRORail page (if there are any active alerts, a link to view them will be visible where the rail lines are shown)
• RideMETRO app (a red triangular icon will appear on the screen if your selected rail line is experiencing a service alert)

You can also use our Trip Planner which is available on:

• Various pages of the METRO website, including the home page
• RideMETRO app for your smartphone
• Google or Apple maps

All METRORail platforms have scrolling digital messages in both English and Spanish that display the estimated wait time for the next train.

Estimated wait times are also posted at select transit centers where METRORail is available.

Transit centers are sheltered waiting areas where you can transfer to other METRO routes and services that provide access to even more destinations.

Certain locations feature digital signs and screens displaying service alerts and estimated wait times for routes that stop there.

This information is also available on:

• METRO website home page (“Track Bus or Train” tab)
  
• RideMETRO app for your smartphone
• Google maps