HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — METRO has implemented a change to its METRO 500 IAH Downtown Direct nonstop bus route to Bush Intercontinental Airport from downtown Houston ahead of the next busy holiday travel period.
Beginning Sunday, the METRO 500 IAH Downtown Direct will pick up and drop off at Terminal E instead of Terminal C.
METRO says Terminal E has a special bus lane for drivers, which should help traffic flow more smoothly and make it safer.
RELATED: METRO features nonstop bus route to Bush airport for flights
ABC13 spoke with a first-time rider who hadn’t heard about the bus option before her trip.
“When I arrived at the Houston airport, I took an Uber, and it was like $50 to the Airbnb I was living at,” said Ziqi Zhou.
Now, as she leaves, she says she’s grateful the bus ride only cost her $4.50.
This option might not work for everyone, and many people may still prefer to drive to Bush airport. Still, frequent Houston visitor Max Bohnel says he plans to take the bus when he returns to New York on Tuesday, despite his concerns about traffic.
“It doesn’t feel good to sit on a bus for one and a half to two hours. It used to take two hours in commuter traffic,” said Bohnel. “But I think I am going to take the bus, just come here a little bit earlier, to catch my flight.”
METRO recommends using its other services, such as nearby rail or a Community Connector, if they are convenient, to reach the bus stop.
Houston visitor Fabienne Nau says the bus arrived right on time, since it leaves every 30 minutes, and she noticed how easily the drivers could get through.
“They seemed to have their own lane, so I mean, if you’re coming from the airport and commuting to this area. I would say that’s a great service to have to be able to do for $4.50, you cannot beat that,” said Fabienne Nau. “It was great.”
METRO says it plans to extend this direct-to-terminal service to Hobby Airport, with a downtown route set to start in January. The agency is also considering adding a route from the Galleria area directly to the airport.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
