Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is expected to approve a $2 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, an increase of 5.8% from this year.

Much like in 2025, the operating budget emphasizes improvements in existing services under a new flagship initiative, METRONow , unveiled in February of this year.

The spending plan drew criticism from several commenters at a public hearing last week who expressed frustration that the proposed 2026 budget does not sufficiently address the priorities promised in a 2019 bond measure overwhelmingly approved by voters . The $3.5 billion bond initiative called for new bus rapid transit and expanded light rail under the now-defunct METRONext initiative.

Among those to voice their displeasure

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