Changes rolled out Sunday for METRO

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- METRO says it's time for more changes for bus routes and park and rides.[br /][br /]One of the most popular local bus routes affected will be the 82-Westheimer route. At midday one afternoon when we took a ride, and people were sitting shoulder to shoulder.[br /][br /]Starting Sunday, there will be more frequent buses and adjusted schedules on dozens of routes. This includes the popular 82 route, which stretches between downtown and Highway 6. It will now have a bus every 6 minutes during peak hours.[br /][br /]We talked to METRO rider, Mike Wilkinson.[br /][Ads /][br /]"More people will use the bus, because it will be more space and more frequency," said Wilkinson. "That's excellent, very good. It'll encourage more people to use the bus."[br /][br /]Rider Isaac Bethamani wasn't quite as optimistic.[br /][br /]"If you add the frequency, buses will be backed up in traffic, it's not going to help offering more frequent buses," Bethamani said.[br /][br /]This is all part of a larger goal, according to METRO executive, Kurt Luhrsen.[br /][br /]"We want to be able to give Houstonians, a chance to live a car-free, or a car-light lifestyle where every adult over 16 doesn't need to have a car to live your life and get to where you need to go," Luhrsen.[br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://www.rideMETRO.org/Pages/Service-Changes.aspx[br /]" TARGET="" REL=""]Click here to check out the routes in your neighborhood.[/url][/b]