Free Downtown Trolley Coming to Houston

The Contemporary Arts Museum is one of many attractions in Houston, Texas
Photo by Charles Pannell

Getting around downtown Houston is about to become easier, with the addition of a new trolley route in May 2012. With a combination of federal grants and private support from British oil and gas giant BG Group, the GREENLINK will operate seven natural gas-powered buses on a circuit from City Hall to the George R. Brown Convention Center, with 20 stops along the way.

The buses will run Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; every seven minutes during peak hours, and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours. The GREENLINK will help downtown passengers connect to METRO’s commuter buses and light rail service; as well as link visitors in the southwest downtown area to a wide variety of stores and restaurants.

And thanks to a generous grant, there will be no charge for this trolley service. Additionally, all buses along the GREENLINK route will be wheelchair-accessible.

Houston offers a wide variety of cultural attractions for visitors of all ages, along with some world class restaurants and a good selection of comfortable lodging choices. For more information about where to eat, stay and visit in Houston, check out the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.visithoustontexas.com.

Houston is also a great destination for wheelchair-users and slow walkers, as it boasts a very accessible public transportation system, a number of accessible museums and attractions, and many wheelchair-accessible lodging options. For more information about affordable and accessible attractions in Houston, plus a review of a hip new hotel with excellent wheelchair-access, check out the Winter 2012 issue of Emerging Horizons.