What Is METROLift & How Does It Work?
METROLift is complementary paratransit service offered by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County in accordance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). METROLift provides transportation for persons with disabilities who cannot board, ride or disembark from a regular METRO fixed-route bus, even if that bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp.
METROLift uses vans with wheelchair lifts and ramp-equipped mini-vans to provide service. Persons using wheelchairs and scooters will be accommodated with either lift-vans or ramp equipped mini-vans. Boarding chairs are available to assist any patron who is unable to access the van using the stairs. Please note that patrons cannot request specific vehicle types.
METROLift transports thousands of patrons each day and we rely on our patrons to immediately inform our dispatch office when service issues occur.
A strong partnership with our patrons enables METROLift to respond quickly to service issues, reducing wait time for our patrons. Patrons must be able to independently travel to and from the vehicle parked at the curb for all scheduled pick-up and drop-off locations.
For any patron who may not be able to independently assume this responsibility, such as those who have a cognitive or visual disability, it is the sole responsibility of the patron’s guardian to ride with the patron or arrange to have a responsible party meet the vehicle and collect the patron at the destination. It is the responsibility of the guardian to keep track of the patron in case the building is closed or if the responsible party fails to show up as planned. METRO highly recommends that an attendant ride with the patron to ensure his or her safety and prevent the patron from wandering off unattended after leaving the METROLift vehicle.
METROLift is Public Transportation
METROLift is a shared-ride service. This means that each vehicle makes several stops en route to its various destinations. When scheduling, patrons must remember to allow sufficient time to stop and pick up others. For example, if you need to be at work at 8:00 a.m., your appointment time should be 7:00 a.m. or 7:15 a.m. In most cases, we will get you there at the scheduled appointment time; however, if we are running late for any reason, you should still be on time.
METROLift Rules Of The Road
Required Securements
To ensure maximum safety for you and other patrons, passengers are required to wear a METRO furnished seatbelt while riding the METROLift vehicle. For persons using wheelchairs, passenger safety requires that a METROLift operator secure your wheelchair with specially developed tie-downs. In addition, you must wear two METROLift provided seatbelts:
- One METROLift furnished seatbelt is required while you are riding up or down on the wheelchair lift.
- The second seatbelt goes around you and attaches to the floor while you ride the METROLift vehicle.
All METROLift passengers must remain in place until the vehicle is stopped and the driver has removed the seatbelt and wheelchair securements.
Mandatory Car Seat For Children Younger Than 2 Years of Age
All children under 2 years and/or under 40 pounds must travel in an approved child car seat furnished by the parent or person accompanying the child regardless of the vehicle type.
City Ordinance
City of Houston Ordinance 77-1667 forbids passengers from smoking, eating or
drinking in the vehicle.
Service Animals
Guide dogs and service animals are permitted; however, you must tell the reservation
operator that you will be traveling with a service animal each time you make a trip
reservation. Non-service pets are allowed to travel only in an animal carrier transported
by the patron.
Packages
Patrons must be able to handle their own packages. Patrons may carry only the
number of packages that they can handle safely when riding in a METROLift vehicle.
The driver can assist with a reasonable number of packages (3 to 4) in and out of
the vehicle, but the patron must handle the packages beyond the curb or make
arrangements for assistance.
Disruptive Behavior
METROLift has the right to refuse service to any patron who is considered to be a threat to themselves, other riders, or to the safe operation of the vehicle.
Telephone Calls Are Recorded
METROLift records and monitors passenger calls to our office to ensure courteous phone service.
School Trips
School districts are responsible for providing transportation for students. Therefore, METROLift transportation is not provided to students going to and from a district school or sponsored events.
