better busses

City of Houston, METRO reveal autonomous shuttle,  zero-emission initiatives

FutureLink is part of the second phase of METRO's autonomous vehicle testing program. Photo courtesy of METRO

Houston and METRO took the latest step towards transforming the city into a leader in innovative and eco-friendly transportation.

Mayor Sylvester Turner unveiled METRO's new autonomous shuttle, FutureLink. The vehicle a fully autonomous zero-emission shuttle that can operate on city streets between Texas Southern University and METRO's Eastwood Transit Center. The level 4 zero-emission shuttle bus can seat 14 passengers and up to two wheelchairs.

FutureLink is part of the second phase of METRO's autonomous vehicle testing program.

"FutureLink represents the intersection of innovation and sustainability," says Mayor Turner in a news release. "METRO continues to pioneer change and today, we celebrate METRO's commitment to advancing our city's vision for the future in which transportation is safe, equitable, and resilient."

METRO's electric bus was also on display at the event, which is part of its fleet of zero-emission vehicles that align with the city's Climate Action Plan working towards a greener future.

"At METRO, we believe that innovation and sustainability are not just responsibilities, but opportunities to create a better tomorrow," METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran says in a news release. "We are passionate about building a thriving, livable, and equitable future for the Houston region, and we are working hard to make it a reality for generations to come."

The project was funded by the Federal Transit Administration through its Accelerating Innovative Mobility program. Phase 2 of the pilot program is expected to run through October 2024, with a final report aiming for March 2025.

Earlier this month, the city approved funding for an EV rideshare service. The $281,000 of funding went toward the expansion of free electric vehicle rideshare services in communities that are considered underserved by utilizing services like RYDE and Evolve Houston.

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A View From HETI

Meta has agreed to purchase 100 percent of the power generated by Enbridge's $900 million solar project near San Antonio. Photo via Getty Images.

Construction is underway on a new 600-megawatt solar project in Texas that will supply renewable energy to Meta Platforms Inc., the owner of Facebook, Instagram and other tech platforms.

Calgary-based Enbridge Inc., whose gas transmission and midstream operations are based in Houston, announced that Meta has agreed to purchase 100 percent of the power generated by its new $900 million solar project known as Clear Fork.

The clean energy developed at Clear Fork will be used to support Meta’s data center operations, according to a news release from Enbridge. Meta has had net-zero emissions across its operational portfolio since 2020, according to its 2024 environmental report. The company matches 100 percent of its data center usage with renewable energy.

"We are thrilled to partner with Enbridge to bring new renewable energy to Texas and help support our operations with 100% clean energy, " Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta, said in a news release.

The Clear Fork project is expected to be operational by the summer of 2027. It will join Enbridge’s first solar power project in Texas, Orange Grove, which was activated earlier this year, as well as the company’s Sequoia solar project, which is scheduled to go online in early 2026.

"Clear Fork demonstrates the growing demand for renewable power across North America from blue-chip companies who are involved in technology and data center operations," Matthew Akman, executive vice president of corporate strategy and president of power at Enbridge, said in the news release. "Enbridge continues to advance its world-class renewables development portfolio using our financial strength, supply chain reach and construction expertise under a low-risk commercial model that delivers strong competitive returns."

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