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HCMTA/Articles on grand opening of Green & Purple Lines 5/23/15


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#1 KevinKorell

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Posted 11 May 2015 - 09:39 PM

Harris County MTA website:

 

 

RAILFEST Celebrates New Rail Lines
Saturday, May 23

 

 

RAILFEST 2015 is coming on Saturday, May 23, a celebration of the grand opening of two new light-rail lines: The Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast).

 

The grand opening of these two new lines will feature a city-wide party at BBVA Compass Stadium, featuring Ne-Yo, the award-winning American R&B singer/songwriter. METRORail will offer free rides on May 23.

 

Details

 

Not to be mistaken to be anything related to a real "Rail Fest".  Someday we'll take this railroad show to Houston and show them what a real RailFest is!!



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#2 Sloan

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Posted 12 May 2015 - 10:09 AM

 

 

METRO celebrates opening of new light rail lines with free Ne-Yo concert

The wait is over for new, convenient, expanded rail serviceicon1.png in the region. Beginning Saturday, May 23, 2015 there will be more transit options as two new light-rail lines begin serving the community. The Green Line (East End Line) travels along Harrisburg through the historic East End and the Purple Line (Southeast Line) travels through one of Houston's oldest African-American neighborhoods.

 

http://www.myfoxhous...e-ne-yo-concert



#3 KevinKorell

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Posted 14 May 2015 - 06:23 PM

Progressive Railroading, 5/13/15:

 

Houston set to open two new light-rail routes next week

 

Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) next week will debut service on two new light-rail lines.

The 3.3-mile Green Line and the 6.6-mile Purple Line will begin running May 23, METRO officials said in a press release.

 

Go on



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#4 Sloan

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Posted 21 May 2015 - 11:00 AM

Video here:

 

http://www.click2hou...review/33142348



#5 KevinKorell

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Posted 23 May 2015 - 12:26 AM


 

 



Tickets No Longer Available for METRORail Fest 2015

Celebrating the Opening of New Light-Rail Lines


 


Connecting Communities with Rail Service and Free NE-YO Concert

 

METRO is delivering the goods, and the public has snapped up every available seat for the highly anticipated METRORail Fest Concert.  Saturday, May 23, 2015 is the official welcome to more transit options as the Green (East End) Line makes its way down Harrisburg through the historic East End and the Purple (Southeast) Line begins service through one of Houston's oldest African-American neighborhoods.

The new lines provide customers with convenient travel to the downtown Theater District, nightlife and entertainment centers including Discovery Green, the George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center, BBVA Compass Stadium and Minute Maid Park with continued access to midtown, the Museum District, Texas Medical Center, Moody Park and the Northline Transit Center / HCC. The Green (East End) Line runs 3.3 miles from downtown, east along Harrisburg, while the Purple (Southeast) Line is 6.6 miles long and connects downtown with the University of Houston Central Campus, Texas Southern University and The Palm Center. Both new routes intersect the existing Main Street Red Line.

Each rail station platform showcases METRO's Arts in Transit program, featuring the work of 22 artists who illustrate the cultural and artistic diversity of the communities they serve. Stations on the Southeast Line highlight African-American heritage and those on the East End line focus on Mexican-American culture.

 

METRORail Fest 2015 takes place on Saturday, May 23 in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, BBVA Compass Stadium and with CBS Radio. The festival will celebrate METRO’s Connecting Communities initiative showcasing the city’s finest attributes including its the new rail lines, live music, family fun activities and a spectacular fireworks show. METRO will provide FREE light-rail rides all day and there will be a FREE concert sponsored by Parsons and Houston Rapid Transit (HRT).

METRORail Fest 2015 takes place on Saturday, May 23 in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, BBVA Compass Stadium and with CBS Radio. The festival will celebrate METRO’s Connecting Communities initiative showcasing the city’s finest attributes including its the new rail lines, live music, family fun activities and a spectacular fireworks show. METRO will provide FREE light-rail rides all day and there will be a FREE concert sponsored by Parsons and Houston Rapid Transit (HRT).

Due to overwhelming response, METRORail Fest 2015 Tickets are no longer available.  The community can still participate in four rallies and ribbon-cutting ceremonies across the city Saturday, May 23.

At 3 p.m., METRO will host pep rallies with live entertainment and formal ribbon-cutting ceremonies at The Palm Center, East End, Theater District and EaDO rail stations. Stakeholders will take the inaugural ride to the BBVA Compass Stadium for additional festivities and a free concert.

Headlining the event is GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, NE-YO. With three #1 albums and 10 million albums sold worldwide, NE-YO, has also written and produced chart-topping hits for today’s biggest stars including Rihanna, Beyonce, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and many more. NE-YO recently released his sixth full-length studio album Non-Fiction, which topped the R&B Charts.

Also performing is the GRAMMY nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Frankie J, a former member of the Kumbia Kings. Frankie J has performed chart-topping English and Spanish hits to adoring crowds across the world. Rounding off the entertainment line-up is the Ernest Walker Band, Zenteno Spirit, Mario Havikoro Dancers and Herman Charles Dancers. A fireworks finale will conclude this grand occasion.

 

 



 

 

WHEN:  SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 3-9 p.m.

 

3 – 4:30 p.m. Purple, Green, Downtown Lines Inaugural Rides and Community Celebrations begin

 

  • The Palm Center –  Ribbon-Cutting

  • East End – Ribbon-Cutting

  • Theater District – Ribbon-Cutting

  • EaDO BBVA Compass Stadium – Ribbon-Cutting

 

5 p.m.  Community Rally Finale and Daytime Fireworks

 

5:30 p.m.  Concert begins with Ernest Walker Band, Zenteno Spirit, Mario Havikoro Dancers and Herman Charles Dancers

 

7 p.m.              Frankie J

 

8 p.m.              NE-YO

 

8:45 p.m.         Fireworks Finale

 

 Times are subject to change.

 WHERE:               Ribbon-Cutting Rail Line Stations:

 

                              The Palm Center: 5330 Griggs Rd.

 

                              East End: 4516 Harrisburg Blvd. 

 

                              Theater District: 650 Rusk St.

 

                              Main Festival Site:

 

                              BBVA Compass Stadium

 

                              2200 Texas Ave.




Kevin Korell


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#6 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 May 2015 - 12:03 AM

MTA of Harris County:


 

Free Concert and Fireworks Mark Historic Opening of METRO's Green and Purple Light-Rail Lines

 

 


concert-crowd_crop.jpg

 

 

Saturday May 23, 2015 thousands gathered for community pep rallies, a free concert and fireworks to mark the opening of METRO’s Green( East End) and Purple( Southeast) lines.


Since construction started, you see the difference light-rail is making in these neighborhoods,“ said METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia. "Old businesses are expanding and new businesses are emerging."

eado-ribbon-cutting_crop.jpg


 

 

railfest-train_crop.jpg

 

For METRO patrons like Lydia Newman who attended the Purple Line Rally at The Palm Center, the wait was worth it. “Today is an important day because it brings communities together and builds relationships."


 


pep-rally_crop.jpg

 

 

Residents, community stakeholders, elected officials, METRO Board members and staff took part in pep rallies in the East End, Southeast Houston and the Theater District.

tsu_crop.jpg


 

Celebrants then boarded light-rail trains to travel to a huge rally that connected all communities at BBVA Compass Stadium. That rally included Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band  and afternoon fireworks.


neyo-concert_crop.jpg

The free concert at BBVA Compass stadium featured the Ernest Walker Band, Zenteno Spirit, Mario Havikoro Dancers and Herman Charles Dancers. The headliners for the concert were NE-YO and Frankie J. The evening was capped off by another huge fireworks display. In addition to the free concert for the public, METRORail rides were free all day.



Kevin Korell


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#7 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 May 2015 - 12:12 AM

Houston, TX Chronicle, 5/21/15:


Houston Opera rides new Metro line in full costume

 

On a sunny afternoon in Houston’s Theater District, Houston Grand Opera staff, artists and whimsical creatures alike gave a test run to METRO’s new light-rail stop on the purple and green lines at Smith and Rusk Street.

More



Kevin Korell


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#8 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 May 2015 - 12:15 AM

Editorial in Houston, TX Chronicle, 5/21/15:


Rail by the numbers

 

What began as little more than a vision under Mayor Lee P. Brown will become reality this weekend when Metro finally opens its two new light rail lines Saturday.

Entire editorial



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#9 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 May 2015 - 12:18 AM

Houston, TX Chronicle, 5/22/15:

 


Metro's new rail lines open Saturday

 

Saturday is the day Houston goes from having a light rail line to a light rail system.

 

After years of controversy and delay, Metro is opening its Green and Purple lines with a host of community events, culminating with a sold-out concert at BBVA Compass Stadium.

 

This item



Kevin Korell


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#10 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 May 2015 - 12:24 AM

KHOU-TV, Channel 11 in Houston, TX, 5/23/15:

 


 

Metro celebrates two new rail lines

 

 

The wait is over for two new light-rail lines. The Green Line (East End Line) travels along Harrisburg through the historic East End and the Purple Line (Southeast Line) travels through one of Houston's oldest African-American neighborhoods.

News and video



Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ





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