Location Transport

Is the public transportation in Houston pretty good?

Planning on taking the train there only if there is reliable and safe public transportation. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. We have one train (in addition to Amtrak, which comes into town on an infrequent basis). It is a 7.5 mile run between Downtown and the Medical Center. Rent a car. Houston is enormous, nearly the size of Rhode Island, and with the suburbs it is nearly the size of Connecticut. Because Houston lacks zoning things are very spread out. You're at a distinct disadvantage if you are relying on public transit (bus) to get from point A to point B. While our Metro does a decent job for a city this size, one most focus on the sentence fragment "city this size."
2. No, unfortunately our public transportation is not that great. We have a bus that runs all over Houston, but it would take you forever. Amtrak is a joke, and only runs downtown. Rent a car, you will be glad you did.
3. I used to have to take the bus sometimes in Houston and it really isn't that great. Houston is so big and there are so many stops that it takes forever to get anywhere! If you don't have to go that far then it's ok, but I suggest renting a car.
4. No, it is not "pretty good".
5. actually no it isnt. it sucks actually. we only have the buses and one train (yeah the 4th largest city and we have 1 freaking train). of all the places ive traveled to, houston (which is where i live) has one of the worse mass transit systems ever. the buses are slow, unreliable, the schedules are crazy, they dont cover all of the city or surrounding areas, the drivers are incompetent and rude, need i go on. this isnt coming from someone who doesnt rely on public transportation. i do ride the bus from time to time depending on where im going, and it truly stinks. i would suggest renting a car if you can
6. Public transportation is safe, but not reliable. The City of Houston is large so you are much better off either driving your own vehicle or renting a car. Renting a vehicle would be much cheaper than trying to take cabs everyplace.
7. Houston is too large to provide good public transportation. If you're planning on only being in the downtown or Medical center areas, then you could get away with that. Otherwise, I really don't advise utilizing the public transit in Houston.
8. One additional note (I agree with all the statements about the status of public transport in Houston--you'll need to rent a car): the Amtrak station here is one of the smallest and worst I've ever seen, and I'm a fan of Amtrak and love Houston! It's a bit secluded, and I wouldn't recommend walking anywhere from there, especially at night (no security guards). However, you can get a cab at the station, and they'll take you to a car rental place or a motel. If you take the cab to the motel, Enterprise will deliver the car to you. BTW, if you're coming anytime soon, be aware that it's that time of the year for wildly fluctuating weather. Last week it snowed just northwest of Houston, and today it was over 80 degrees and sunny.
9. Honestly, public transportation is only decent in the medical center area and *maybe* downtown. It definitely doesn't compare to the public transportation services in Chicago or NYC. The best way to get around town is renting a car.