Michael Andrade: Driving Accessibility and Empowerment Through METROLift
By Francis Page, Jr.
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October 8, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — In Houston, where a city’s heartbeat is measured by its people’s ability to move, Michael Andrade, Vice President of Specialized Transit Services at the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), has spent his 35-year career ensuring that mobility is not a privilege-but a promise. His leadership of METROLift and curb2curb services has become a shining example of how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) translates from policy into empowerment for thousands of Houstonians every day.
Paratransit as a Civil Rights Commitment For Andrade, paratransit is more than buses and vans — it is a civil rights mission under the ADA. “Paratransit isn’t just a transportation product; it’s a civil rights commitment,” Andrade emphasizes. “For many Houstonians, it’s the difference between isolation and participation.” That commitment is visible across Houston’s 808 square miles of METROLift coverage, where reliable, clean, and safe rides ensure that residents with disabilities are not left behind but instead remain connected to healthcare, education, faith, family, and community.
Stories That Move the Heart The true value of paratransit isn’t measured in miles driven but in lives improved. Andrade recalls moments that define his work: • A dialysis patient who depends on recurring trips to reach lifesaving treatment. • A rider with cognitive disabilities who uses METROLift to access day programs. • A caregiver who rides along at no cost, reinforcing family bonds and security. As Andrade puts it: “When transportation is dependable and affordable, healthcare, education, faith, and family move from ‘maybe’ to ‘I’ll be there.’”
Innovation That Expands Access In a city as vast as Houston, innovation is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. METRO is investing in modernized routing and scheduling technology, including an app-based booking system that makes trip management easier and more flexible. Real-time optimization means fewer delays, shorter waits, and more freedom for riders to design their days. Beyond technology, METRONow is reshaping the rider experience with better lighting, stronger security patrols, and upgraded transfer points, ensuring paratransit customers can connect seamlessly with bus and rail services.
Expanding Mobility for Families and Communities Accessibility at METRO is about more than individuals — it’s about strengthening families and communities. Riders with the Freedom Q® card enjoy free transfers on bus, rail, and curb2curb, lowering household costs and encouraging shared travel. Families can connect from their neighborhoods into the larger transit system, turning what was once a barrier into a bridge of inclusion. “These are exciting times,” Andrade says with optimism. “Our focus now is on educating communities about how accessibility benefits everyone — not just those who use paratransit.”
Heroes Behind the Wheel The success of paratransit lies not only in leadership but also in the dedication of drivers, dispatchers, and staff. During Hurricane Beryl, operators stayed late to ensure dialysis patients returned home safely despite power outages. Dispatchers worked around the clock, tracking closures and re-sequencing trips in real time. Many staff even camped overnight at METRO headquarters to keep lines open and services steady. “That spirit of teamwork is what makes paratransit succeed in a city as complex as Houston,” Andrade reflects proudly.
Protecting Moments That Matter One story defines Andrade’s mission: a woman called METRO in tears after finishing a medical treatment without a ride home. METROLift arranged a same-day trip. Her words still echo: “You didn’t just get me home, you gave me my day back.” “That’s why we do this work,” Andrade affirms. “We aren’t just moving people; we’re protecting moments that matter.”
A Legacy of Service From spearheading METRO’s first On-Demand operation in 2015 to expanding five curb2curb zones (with more on the way), Michael Andrade has reshaped accessibility across Houston. His decades of service underscore a larger truth: mobility is empowerment, and empowerment builds stronger communities. As Houston grows, Andrade’s work ensures that growth is shared. Every ramp, every ride, and every reliable trip under METROLift honors the ADA’s promise of equality, proving that when a city makes space for all, everyone moves forward. For more information got to: ridemetro.org
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Lisa Valadezlisa@stylemagazine.com713-748-6300