Houston METRO Unveils Autonomous Shuttle

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO) has unveiled its new autonomous shuttle. FutureLink, part of the second phase of METRO’s autonomous vehicle testing program, is a zero-emission shuttle that can operate on city streets, providing first and last-mile connections between Texas Southern University and METRO’s Eastwood Transit Center.

“At METRO, we believe that innovation and sustainability are not just responsibilities, but opportunities to create a better tomorrow,” said Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. “We are passionate about building a thriving, livable, and equitable future for the Houston region, and we are working hard to make it a reality for generations to come.”

Funding for the project was provided by FTA through its Accelerating Innovative Mobility program. Phase 2 of the pilot program is expected to run through October 2024. A final report will be completed by March 2025.

“FutureLink represents the intersection of innovation and sustainability,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “METRO continues to pioneer change and today, we celebrate METRO’s commitment to advancing our city’s vision for the future in which transportation is safe, equitable, and resilient.”

METRO also unveiled its new electric bus, part of its growing fleet of zero-emission vehicles and an important piece of the agency’s Climate Action Plan.