When Houston welcomed visitors for the FIFA Fan Festival, METRO stepped up in a big way. Trains ran every six minutes, buses came more often, and Park & Ride service expanded across the region. Air Alliance Houston’s Senior Climate Justice Coordinator, Alex Spike, talked with fans about how they got to the event, and many said they chose METRO because it was fast, easy, and helped them avoid traffic and expensive parking. 

Public transit does more than help people get where they need to go; it also helps improve air quality! When more people ride METRO instead of driving, there are fewer cars on the road. That means: less traffic, lower air pollution, and healthier air for everyone. Better transit also makes it easier for people to get to work, school, sporting events, and other destinations without relying on a personal vehicle.

The expanded service during the FIFA Fan Festival showed what’s possible when Houston invests in reliable public transportation. People didn’t just use METRO—they asked for more of it. At Air Alliance Houston, we believe clean air and better transportation go hand in hand. By supporting safe, affordable, and dependable public transit, we can build a healthier Houston where everyone has cleaner air and more ways to get where they need to go.

Watch the video below to hear why so many riders said they would use METRO more often if this level of service was available year-round.