METRO offers Late-Night custom rides

A variety of vehicles will be used to provide the custom Connector service
A variety of vehicles will be used to provide the custom Connector service

HOUSTON – METRO is now offering “Custom Connector” service in three North Houston areas, including Kashmere. The service is known as the Kashmere Community Connector.

The service provides personalized, curb to curb transportation in a defined zone within Northeast Houston, north of Interstate 610 and east of U.S. Highway 59/Interstate Highway 69. METRO picks you up, and then drops you off at your intended destination. Community Connector vehicles connect you with METRO’s larger transportation network at anchor points within the zone. For instance, your “first mile” of traveling may be on a Community Connector between your residence and the Kashmere Transit Center, where you transfer to another METRO service. Your “last mile” of traveling may be on a Community Connector between the Kashmere Transit Center and your residence.

The service zone covers the Northeast Houston area just north of Interstate 610 and just east of U.S. Highway 59/Interstate Highway 69, as shown in the Kashmere Community Connector Map on the next page.

When does the Kashmere Late-Night Connector operate?

Daily, 8 p.m.-midnight.

When would it make sense to use this service?

Here are 3 examples:

1. You’re taking a night class at HCC Northline. You can take the Route 29 back to Kashmere Transit Center, but your connecting route doesn’t run late enough to get you home.

2. You want to attend an evening Astros game downtown. You can take the Route 51/52 back to Kashmere Transit Center, but your connecting route doesn’t run late enough to get you home.

3. You work at Memorial City Mall until closing. You can take the Route 26 back to Kashmere Transit Center, but your connecting route doesn’t run late enough to get you home.

What safety precautions are in place to help fight COVID-19?

— Extensive cleaning and disinfecting of vehicles

— Limited number of riders per vehicle

— Mask or face covering required to ride

— Protective shield between you and the operator

— Hand sanitizer available on board

Here is Fare Information:

— Regular fare: $1.25 per ride

— Discount fare: $0.60 per ride*

— Seniors (70+) and METROLift customers with a valid ID ride for free.

* Discount fares apply to students, seniors (65- 69), Medicare cardholders and disabled passengers.

How do I pay to get on board?

The only form of payments accepted are a METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass.

Where can I purchase or reload a fare card?

You can purchase or reload a METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass at:

— METRO RideStore (1900 Main St. Houston, Texas 77002) – Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

— Select vending machines located at METRO rail platforms, Park & Rides, and transit centers

— Participating retail locations

You can also purchase or reload fare cards through the online METRO RideStore – however, it may take several days for you to receive them, as all fare cards purchased through the online store are physically mailed.

Additional options for reloading a fare card:

— Use our reload machine located next to the rear exit doors on all local buses

— Reload your card online at RideMETRO.org/ reload

What retail locations in the area sell METRO fare cards?

FIESTA #50 – 5815 Lockwood Drive – Houston, Texas 77026

TEXAS FOOD MARKET – 6301 Jensen Drive – Houston, Texas 77028

How do I get on board?

You can walk right up and board the Kashmere Late-Night Connector at the Kashmere Transit Center (5910 Hirsch Road) at the top of every hour (daily, 8 p.m.-midnight), to travel to your destination anywhere within the zone.

At the Kashmere Transit Center, you can connect to the following routes:

3 Langley – Little York

26 Long Point/Cavalcade

29 Cullen/Hirsch

51 Hardy-Kelley

52 Hardy-Ley

80 MLK/Lockwood

97 Settegast

What if I want the vehicle to pick me up where I am?

If you can’t get to an anchor point, there are two ways you can book a ride and have the vehicle pick you up at your exact location within the zone:

— Use the METRO curb2curb app

— Call 713-739-4611 (agents on call daily, 5 a.m.-midnight)

Reservations are subject to availability.

Does my fare entitle me to free transfers?

After tapping your fare card on the validator upon boarding the Kashmere Late-Night Connector, you can transfer for free to any local METRO bus route service for the next 3 hours.

Download the METRO curb2curb App

The METRO curb2curb app allows you to book a ride on the Kashmere Late-Night Connector, on-demand via your smartphone.