This may look like another example that might represent hope for many people, that METRORail was constructed in Houston, and that now all these expansions are being built. This might seem like a positive sign to many, that even in a classical example of a more conservative state, where public spending often appears to be unpopular, public spending like the investments in light rail are still possible.
Houston's light rail system might be regarded as a big success by many, especially since the one single Red Line (without the North / Red Line expansion) already had an average weekday ridership of over 36,000 in 2012. This is an extraordinary high ridership for just a 7.5 mile starter segment of light rail (not heavy rail).
This is likely to get higher and higher, as the North / Red Line Extention opened to the public in December 2013, and the Southeast / Purple Line and the East End / Green Line are both scheduled to open in 2014 still.
At the same time, it might seem unfortunate for many people, that construction of the University / Blue Line and Uptown / Gold Line is not underway yet. Quite the opposite, on the official METRO website, it states that "the University Line project is on hold, pending approval of new funding sources at this time." Just in the same way, it appears that the Uptown light rail line is not being built, instead, METRO and the Uptown Management District plan to construct a BRT line, that can easily be converted to light rail at a later time.
Some Houston residents already expressed how they think that the University Line would be a much-needed east-west link, even stating "it would be the best thing to ever happen in Houston". And many agree that the Uptown Line would be an urgently needed to the Galleria area, just as in the longer term, it seems to make sense to many to connect the North Line to George Bush International airport.
Then, there is the topic of commuter rail in the Houston area, especially the US 90A corridor looked like it might see construction starting within the next decade. But in September 2012, METRO's Board of Directors placed the US 90A Rail Corridor on hold, as everything is reassessed via the Transit Re-Imagining Plan. That draft transit plan that is part of transitsystemreimagining.com is expected to be available to the public in spring 2014.
With U.S. Representative John Culberson just having blocked any new federal funding for the University Line in January 2014, but supposedly supporting a possible east-west light rail route via West Park, as well as the US 90A corridor rail, these next years should continue to be eventful regarding rail transportation in Houston...