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65-652: The Crown-Ikarus 286 is a type of transit bus that was manufactured for the U.S. market from 1980 until 1986, under a joint venture between the Ikarus Body and Coach Works (Ikarus), of Budapest , Hungary , and Crown Coach Corporation from Los Angeles , California in the United States. Loosely based on the Ikarus 280 , the Crown-Ikarus 286 is a high-floor articulated bus . Due to their use in

130-544: A Houston Police Department storefront and toilets for transiting passengers. The building was designed by Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville. As of August 2010, two floors of the building are not occupied and are not used in any way. The building was scheduled to open in early 2004, coinciding with the beginning of the METRORail . The groundbreaking was held in 2002. Patti Muck, a spokesperson for METRO, said that

195-549: A Voith D864.2 automatic transmission was fitted for vehicles operated in Houston, and for five of 40 purchased by Milwaukee. The axles were also U.S.-made. In the mid- to late 1980s, TriMet replaced the Cummins engines in its Crown-Ikarus buses with Detroit Diesel DDA 6-71 engines in an effort to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs by standardizing with the rest of the agency's fleet. Ikarus also hoped to sell

260-450: A settlement had been reached. The warranties on Tri-Met's buses, which had originally been for one to two years but been extended, were now extended through 1992, but most other details of the 1987 settlement were not released publicly. By 1986, Crown Coach had already ceased taking orders for the Crown-Ikarus 286, and production under the joint venture ended. Ikarus re-entered the U.S. market on its own in 1989 as Ikarus USA, which after

325-860: A trolleybus version of the 286 in North America through Crown Coach. With this in mind, an Ikarus 280T3 articulated trolleybus was transported to North America, and in 1981–1982 was demonstrated on the Mexico City , San Francisco , and Seattle trolleybus systems . Ultimately, no orders were received, and Crown Coach did not build any trolleybuses. Various problems were experienced with the completed buses during their use, including doors malfunctioning and windows coming out. In Portland, Oregon, which had more Crown-Ikarus buses than any other transit system, owner Tri-Met found that its 87 buses needed numerous repairs and modifications, to fix what it considered to be significant defects. The agency worked with

390-510: A 52–48 vote. The plan proposed: In June 2005, METRO announced a revised plan for expansion of the METRORail system. The plan included one new light rail corridor and three bus rapid transit corridors. The bus rapid transit lines would have later been converted into light rail when ridership warranted the conversion. On October 18, 2007, the plan was revised to allow for the possibility of more federal funding. METRO decided to have all

455-448: A baggage compartment. A minibus is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) and is typically built on a small truck chassis." Generally, a transit bus will be 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 m) long, with seats and standing room. Usually there are 30 to 45 seats, depending on length and interior configuration. If more passenger capacity is needed on a route, an articulated bus, 54 to 60 feet (16 to 18 m) long, or

520-412: A bus in public transit service. "Bus means a rubber-tired automotive vehicle used for the provision of public transportation service by or for a recipient of FTA financial assistance." FTA also adds that automotive means that the bus does not rely on external power sources for its motion; its motor and fuel or battery are contained in the bus. It defines public transportation service as "the operation of

585-455: A bus or train to get to school. 88 percent of riders reported that they rode transit at least three days per week with almost 50 percent of riders riding at least five days per week. The survey's findings concluded that 88 percent of all the trips were directly contributing to the region's economy. Metro provides transportation services to fifteen member cities, as well as some unincorporated portions of Harris County. Metro's service area pays

650-472: A contested segment, with a number of manufacturers competing for transit operators with new-generation bus designs. To diversify its business beyond the fragile school bus industry of the late 1970s, California-based Crown Coach sought to enter transit bus production. While its chief competitor Gillig Corporation began design work on what would become the Gillig Phantom in 1982, Crown did not have

715-431: A double articulated bus, can hold more seats; the connecting portion(s) can bend to aid making turns. Features of transit buses include: Modern transit buses are also increasingly being equipped with passenger information systems , multimedia, WiFi , USB charging points, entertainment/advertising, and passenger comforts such as heating and air-conditioning (in the early 20th century, no bus had cooling beyond opening

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780-600: A head-on collision involving a car and a bus occurred in 1980, the concept became permanent, but with the HOV lanes separated from the rest of traffic with Jersey barriers . The HOV lanes run between Downtown Houston (inbound A.M. and outbound P.M.) and the suburbs and are found on portions of the Katy Freeway , Gulf Freeway , North Freeway , Southwest Freeway , Eastex Freeway and Northwest Freeway . Since Metro Express buses use them during rush hour, most routes lead to

845-415: A high-frequency, high-demand bus network. This change was accomplished without any increase in operating costs. Metro's bus routes are numbered based on their service type and arranged in a grid. On August 24, 2015, Metro revamped their entire bus network with new routes and frequent service. Under the new network, all local routes run 7 days a week with the exception of two express routes. Metro provided

910-450: A policy since its founding in which it refuses to place advertisements on buses, claiming that such a move would create an unsightly appearance on the buses. Metro had originally attempted to generate extra revenue by only advertising in its bus shelters, but a city ordinance blocked the decision. After a failed attempt to get permission to partially use advertisements on buses, Metro has since decided to continue enforcing its policy. Due to

975-415: A private car, recognising the chief competitor to the transit bus in many markets. As they are used in a public transport role, transit buses can be operated by publicly run transit authorities or municipal bus companies , as well as private transport companies on a public contract or fully independent basis. Due to the local authority use, transit buses are often built to a third-party specification put to

1040-488: A regional as well as operational basis; however, with the advent of global manufacturing, all of these types can be seen in the same location or country. Depending on local policies, transit buses will also usually have two, three or (for articulated) four doors to facilitate rapid boarding and alighting. In cases of low-demand routes, or to navigate small local streets, some models of minibus and small midibuses have also been used as transit type buses. The development of

1105-571: A selection of 'dual-purpose' fitted buses, that is standard transit buses fitted with coach-type seating, for longer-distance routes. Sometimes transit buses may also be used as express buses on a limited-stopping or non-stop service at peak times, but over the same distance as the regular route. Fare payment is done via: and is done upon: Depending on payment systems in different municipalities, there are widely different rules with regard to which door, front or rear, one must use when boarding/exiting. For rear doors, most buses have doors opened by

1170-502: A series of reorganizations became North American Bus Industries (NABI) in 1996. Crown-Ikarus buses were sold new to a total of only nine transit systems, all located in the United States. One additional operator obtained its Crown-Ikarus buses secondhand, though a lease. Transit bus These are distinct from all-seated coaches used for intercity travel and smaller minibuses , for more flexible services. The US Federal Transit Administration offers some definitions of terms for

1235-417: A vehicle that provides general or special service to the public on a regular and continuing basis consistent with 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53." Another US agency further distinguishes a transit bus from those used in intercity travel, and called motorcoaches. "A bus is a motor vehicle designed, constructed and/or used to transport passengers. A motorcoach is a bus designed with an elevated passenger deck located over

1300-767: Is a major public transportation agency based in Houston, Texas , United States . It operates bus , light rail , bus rapid transit , HOV and HOT lanes, and paratransit service (under the name METROLift) in the city as well as most of Harris County . It also operates bus service to two cities in Fort Bend County , and to Conroe in Montgomery County. The Metro headquarters are in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston . In 2023,

1365-571: Is being mulled as a means to pay for constructing the expansion of the light rail. Metro has been known for pioneering the use of express buses in HOV lanes . This was part of the reversible HOV lane concept that began in 1979 with the completion of the North Freeway (I-45) Contraflow Lane. This concept used the inside freeway lane of the "opposite" direction separated by traffic pylons and is closed to all vehicles except buses and vanpools. Although

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1430-529: Is committed in their presence or view while in Texas. They may also make an arrest pursuant to a warrant anywhere in Texas. The Metro headquarters are in the Lee P. Brown Administration Building in Downtown Houston . The $ 41 million 14 story glass and steel building has over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m ) of space. The facility includes the Downtown Transit Center , a Metro Ride store,

1495-411: Is known as METRORail. Metro offers a trip planner on its web site that provides information for public transit in the region it serves. It is multi-modal, combining schedule information for buses and rail. Riders enter their intended origin and destination, along with optional time, date, the trip planner displays, itineraries showing the stops, departure and arrival times, times to get from the origin to

1560-607: Is the second major light rail service in Texas following the DART system. The arrival of Metro light rail comes approximately sixty years after the previous streetcar system was shut down, which left Houston as the largest city in the United States without a rail system since 1990, when Los Angeles' Blue Line opened. Metro opened two additional light rail lines in 2015, the Purple (Southeast) and Green (East End) Lines. Destinations served by these new lines include Texas Southern University,

1625-754: The Honey Brown Hope Foundation and its founder, Tammie Lang Campbell, in 1999. It was moved March 23, 2005, to the Lee P. Brown Metropolitan Transit Authority Administration Building, where it is on permanent display. Previously the Metro headquarters were in the Louisiana Place (now the Total Plaza ), also in Downtown Houston. The agency occupied 10 floors in the building and did not receive any federal funds to cover

1690-465: The Orion III . In the late 1970s, the era of the "New Look" mass-transit buses in the United States and Canada, which had begun in the late 1950s, was coming to a close. The two largest U.S. bus manufacturers, General Motors and Flxible , ended U.S. production of their New Look buses in 1977 and 1978, respectively. By the end of the decade, production would shift from a GM/Flxible near-monopoly to

1755-482: The Park and Ride lots and use "secret" HOV lane exits (often elevated T-intersections) that lead to the lots (also used by vehicles) without having to exit the freeway to street intersections. The HOV system will soon get an overhaul in the event of major freeway construction to take place in Houston and may have HOV lanes in both directions with the concept of HOT (Toll) lanes introduced. In 2011, Metro began conversion of

1820-619: The Red Line was opened on December 21, 2013 and the East End/Green Line opened on May 23, 2015. Due to federal investigations and the lack of funds, the plans may degenerate further. Three of the five lines were previously going to be bus-rapid transit, but due to high ridership possibilities, the decision was made to make them all light rail. METRO Solutions was a regional transit plan approved by voters in November 2003 by

1885-542: The Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA), one of only five public transit police departments in North America to be so. State law grants Metro Police jurisdiction in the counties in which Metro is located, provides services, or is supported by a general sales and use tax. As peace officers, state law also grants Metro Police the power to arrest without warrant for any felony, breach of the peace, disorderly conduct or intoxication offense that

1950-481: The Wright StreetCar , often as part of bus rapid transit schemes. Fare collection is also seeing a shift to off-bus payment, with either the driver or an inspector verifying fare payments. A commuter or express bus service is a fixed-route bus characterized by service predominantly in one direction during peak periods, limited stops, use of multi-ride tickets and routes of extended length, usually between

2015-675: The midibus has also given many operators a low-cost way of operating a transit bus service, with some midibuses such as the Plaxton SPD Super Pointer Dart resembling full size transit type vehicles. Due to their public transport role, transit buses were the first type of bus to benefit from low-floor technology, in response to a demand for equal access public service provision. Transit buses are also now subject to various disability discrimination acts in several jurisdictions which dictate various design features also applied to other vehicles in some cases. Due to

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2080-590: The $ 3.8 million annual rent. The Metro Board Room was located on the 16th floor. Total Petrochemicals USA , a subsidiary of TotalEnergies , moved into the space that was previously occupied by METRO; the agency scheduled its move into the Brown building to occur in January 2005. Metro's lease of 193,000 square feet (17,900 m ) of space expired in April 2005. A Regional Fixed Route Transit Rider survey sponsored by

2145-831: The Authority's first light rail line, began operation on January 1, 2004. Now extended to 12.8 miles, the line begins at the Northline Transit Center, serving HCC Northeast and Northline Commons mall, and then continues south through Houston's Central Business District, Midtown, the Museum District, Rice University, the Texas Medical Center and the NRG Park Complex to the Fannin South Transit Center It

2210-471: The Crown-Ikarus name were considered model 286, although different orders carried a seldom-noted numerical suffix (such as 286.02 for Portland TriMet ). The first order for the Crown-Ikarus was placed in November 1979. In its Budapest factory, Ikarus produced the body shells of its Ikarus 280 articulated transit bus modified for the North American market. The largest change was the overall width of

2275-852: The HOV lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Commuters with only one person in a vehicle will be able to pay a toll to use the lanes when the conversion is complete. Metro Lift provides transportation needs for people with a disability, who cannot board, or ride from a regular Metro bus. The Metro Lift vehicles are shared-ride, meaning that they take multiple customers and groups. Metro tells its customers to use standard Metro bus services whenever possible. Metro Lift uses special vehicles that are distinct from fixed-route Metro buses. The Authority's METROLift paratransit service will have provided 1.9 million trips to 16,178 eligible riders in FY2017, using both METRO-owned lift-equipped vans and contractor-owned and operated accessible minivans. Metro's light rail service

2340-448: The Houston region's freeway high-occupancy vehicle lanes , which stop at park-and-ride lots. Prior to the construction of Metrorail, Metro consisted of the largest all-bus fleet in the United States, only because Houston was the largest major city devoid of any rail transit since 1990. Circa 1991 bus services for handicapped people were implemented. In 2015, the bus system was redesigned, eliminating low-ridership routes in favor of

2405-580: The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), in partnership with METRO, was completed in 2017. Over 22,000 riders were surveyed—the most expansive ever conducted on a regional basis—and included eight regional fixed-route transit agencies which operate in H-GAC's eight-county region. The survey found that 58 percent of riders use transit to get to work, 20 percent use it for shopping or personal business, and about 10 percent of riders use

2470-572: The Mayor and confirmed by Houston City Council, two are appointed by Harris County Commissioners Court, and two are appointed by the 14 mayors of Metro's smaller city members. Metro's local bus service usually runs on city streets, typically stopping at every other corner along its entire route. The bus system is the most used in Texas and the Southwest region . Metro also operates express bus routes on

2535-570: The U.S. market. In addition to Crown Coach gaining entry into the mass-transit segment, the partnership allowed Hungary to obtain hard currency and eased a trade imbalance between Eastern Europe and the West. Under the terms of the joint venture, final assembly of the buses would be done in Crown Coach facilities in Los Angeles. In addition to finishing the vehicles to American standards,

2600-550: The United States, the Crown-Ikarus buses became the first buses produced by Ikarus equipped with an onboard wheelchair lift. After a number of production problems arose, the Crown-Ikarus 286 ended production in 1986, following the collapse of the joint venture. A total of 243 buses were produced for nine different operators. Ikarus would again jointly produce the Ikarus 280 in North America with Ontario Bus Industries , in Canada, as

2665-674: The University of Houston, PNC Stadium, and the Theater District. These new lines added another 9.9 miles of light rail. In total, Metro operates 22.7 miles of light rail service. Metro will reach approximately 18.6 million light rail boardings in FY17. Two other lines were to be completed by 2012, but funding issues dropped the number to the northern extension of the Red Line and two of the original four new lines. The extension of

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2730-414: The agency to issue up to $ 3.5 billion in bonds to pay for the projects while the remaining $ 4 billion will come from federal grants and local funds. Metro operates its own police department . With over 185 Texas peace officers and 88 non-sworn, civilian employees, the department's main goal is to ensure safety and security on the transit system. The department was established in 1982 and is accredited with

2795-459: The agency would save $ 273 million, assuming that the agency occupied the building for a 30-year span instead of renting for the same length of time. The Federal Transit Administration , a part of the federal government of the United States , paid 80% of the construction costs, while Metro paid the other 20%. The “Houston in Harmony” mural l in honor of Mayor Lee P Brown was commissioned by

2860-460: The agency's interim CEO since the beginning of 2013. Lambert, a Houston native with a political science degree from Southwest Texas State University and master's in public administration from the University of Houston, joined Metro as a security investigator in 1979. He was named agency police chief in 1982, ultimately overseeing close to 100 officers, then moved into higher ranks of management. The Metro Board has nine members – five are appointed by

2925-489: The bodyshell, from a metric-based 98.4 inches (2,500 mm) to the 102 inches (2,591 mm) body width that was becoming common in transit buses in North America. After shipment to Crown Coach in Los Angeles, the fabricated body shells were fitted with engines, transmissions and brakes. Other major assemblies included the destination signs and interior. For the first vehicles, the engines and transmissions were shipped to Hungary for installation, but subsequent examples saw

2990-585: The bus system had a ridership of 61,171,600, or about 195,100 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024. Multiple colors indicate that portions of the route have different frequencies from one another. Bold = Terminates at the Transit Center Italics = A branch terminates at the transit center [REDACTED] / [REDACTED] / [REDACTED] = METRORail connections (175 covered) Metro operates 28 different park and ride locations. (covered) (covered) (covered) Metro has had

3055-689: The card each time it is used. Frequent users get "Rider Rewards" that offer five free rides for every 50 paid trips. Senior citizens 65–69 will continue to receive a discounted rate as will disabled patrons. Senior citizens over 70 may ride for free. Children under 5 also ride for free when accompanied by an adult (limit 3). This was intended to keep the base fare low and phase out the previous fare system consisting of transfers (was reinstated from July 2015 to March 2016), as well as day (reinstated on October 7, 2013), weekly, monthly and annual passes, which occurred in early 2008. On November 2, 2008, local fares increased to $ 1.25 from $ 1. Currently another fare increase

3120-617: The central business district and outlying suburbs. Commuter bus service also may include other service, characterized by a limited route structure, limited stops and a coordinated relationship with another mode of transportation. They may closely follow the routing of a conventional bus route but not stopping at every stop or not making detours such as into residential or commercial areas that conventional routes may take. [REDACTED] Media related to Transit buses at Wikimedia Commons Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County ( METRO )

3185-413: The destination and other information. Today, the average daily weekday ridership is 59,753 and 18.3 million annually. On November 9, 2007, Metro surpassed its 40 million boardings mark, something it did not expect to happen until 2020. Notable records in ridership have occurred on the following dates: Metro currently operates three light rail lines: the Red Line, Purple Line and Green Line. The Red Line,

3250-510: The door steps to not trip and fall. Unlocked or open doors, will trigger a brake locking mechanism on the bus to prevent it from moving while someone could possibly be entering or exiting the bus, when the door is closed, the lock will release, this is mostly implemented on rear doors, not really on front doors, since the driver will be paying attention to the front door. Transit buses can be single-decker , double-decker , rigid or articulated . Selection of type has traditionally been made on

3315-470: The driver controls or patron (with touch-to-open, motion sensor or push bars). Most doors on buses use air-assist technology, the driver controlled doors, use air pressure to force them open, patron-operated doors, can push them open, however, the doors are heavy, so the touch-to-open or push bar mechanism, sends pressurized air to open the doors. Most doors will signify that they are unlocked and open with lights, this gives guide to those who are going up or down

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3380-408: The entire powertrain fitted at the Crown Coach factory. Two different configurations of the Crown-Ikarus 286 were sold: 55-foot (16.8 m) and 60-foot (18.3 m) lengths, with either two or three entry doors. Aside from five Houston Metro examples fitted in a 61-seat suburban configuration, all versions were fitted with transit-style seats. In its 60-foot configuration, the passenger capacity

3445-569: The final assembly in California involved most of the interior work, allowing customization of the buses to the needs of each end-user. Alongside various specifications for seating design, this allowed for the inclusion of features such as wheelchair lifts for passengers with disabilities. Sales contracts of the vehicles were managed by Crown Coach, which helped ensure that the work satisfied U.S. federal "Buy America" requirements ( 49 U.S.C.   § 5323j ). All buses manufactured under

3510-556: The free Greenlink shuttle services in Downtown Houston , but discontinued the service in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Metro's express and commuter buses consist of 45-foot (14 m) MCI and New Flyer "Viking" buses, which have reclining seats, small individual lights, as well as small air conditioning vents for each seat. Viking buses went out of service in May 2015. In 2023,

3575-478: The high number of high-profile urban operations, transit buses are at the forefront of bus electrification, with hybrid electric bus , all-electric bus and fuel cell bus development and testing aimed at reducing fuel usage, shift to green electricity and decreasing environmental impact . Developments of the transit bus towards higher capacity bus transport include tram-like vehicles such as guided buses , longer bi-articulated buses and tram-like buses such as

3640-675: The lack of funding for METRORail expansion, the policy has been proposed to be expanded to light rail vehicles in order to generate additional revenue. Metro began advertising the Houston Zoo on the side of three light rail vehicles in 2010. In late September 2010, due to the decreased budget, Metro began to seriously consider advertising on their buses. In the fall of 2006, Metro revealed plans to rework its fare system. The new system involves pre-paid fare cards ( contactless smart cards ), called Q Cards, that can be recharged on local buses and Metro TVMs. 3-hour passes are electronically added to

3705-542: The lines consist of light rail from the start after some public backlash to the agency turning back from its original plans of light rail corridors. By 2017, only 15 miles of light rail were completed with no commuter rail lines established. 8 new transit centers, 7 new park & ride lots, and only one new two-way HOV corridor were completed as well. The public with a 68% vote approved the METRONext plan in November 2019. The plan calls for: The referendum authorized

3770-853: The manufacturer by the authority. Early examples of such specification include the Greater Manchester Leyland Atlantean , and DMS-class London Daimler Fleetline . New transit buses may be purchased each time a route/area is contracted, such as in the London Buses tendering system. The operating area of a transit bus may also be defined as a geographic metropolitan area, with the buses used outside of this area being more varied with buses purchased with other factors in mind. Some regional-size operators for capital cost reasons may use transit buses interchangeably on short urban routes as well as longer rural routes, sometimes up to 2 or 3 hours. Often transit bus operators have

3835-463: The manufacturer to correct many of them, but carried out some of the repairs and modifications itself, sometimes at its own expense. In 1985, when the buses involved were three to four years old, Tri-Met filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers, alleging breach of contract . The suit identified 45 separate defects, including frame cracks, and charged that Crown Coach and Ikarus had been unable or unwilling to correct all of them. Tri-Met officials said

3900-456: The problems and frequent breakdowns of the buses led to there being days when only about 50 of the 87 buses were operational. According to Tri-Met, the issue was compounded by maintenance diagrams that were "written mostly in Hungarian ". The lawsuit was later postponed, as the parties hoped to settle their differences out of court, and 17 months after the suit was filed, Tri-Met announced that

3965-404: The resources on its own to develop its own design from the ground up. In 1979, Crown entered into a partnership with Hungarian bus manufacturer Ikarus Body and Coach Works. With an annual production of 13,000 transit vehicles (triple the combined output of all U.S. transit manufacturers), Ikarus was one of the largest bus manufacturers in the world, but had never previously built any vehicles for

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4030-480: The system had a ridership of 77,189,800, or about 244,700 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024. The Texas State Legislature authorized the creation of local transit authorities in 1973. In 1978, Houston-area voters created Metro and approved a one-cent sales tax to support its operations. Metro opened for business in January 1979, taking over the bus service owned by the City of Houston known as HouTran . HouTran

4095-523: The windows). In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires space for passengers using a wheelchair, and requires easy access of the wheelchair onto the bus. The passenger information systems inside the bus came about both because of digital technology and to meet accessibility requirements. Some industry members and commentators promote the idea of making the interior of a transit bus as inviting as

4160-674: Was 73. To save on development costs, the Crown-Ikarus was fitted with the engines of the Crown Supercoach school bus, which was designed for a 20-year service life. The first examples of the Crown-Ikarus 286 used a 290 hp Cummins NHHTC underfloor diesel engine, changed to a 300 hp Cummins NHHTC in later versions. An optional 350 hp Cummins was chosen by the Milwaukee County Transit System . Most vehicles were fitted with an Allison automatic transmission (models HT-747D or 748s). However,

4225-529: Was plagued by outdated equipment, infrequent service and a route structure which failed to account for Houston's rapid population growth. Metro's service area encompasses 1,285 square miles (3,330 km ) and also serves portions of an eight-county region with its vanpool service; the agency employs about 3,800 people. Tom Lambert is the current President and CEO of the agency. Lambert was formally appointed in February 2014, although he had been operating as

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