Jan 20 2022: Route 68 Braeswood (unfinished)
Destination: (Russian) General Store
What timing as this was right before Russia's 2022 invasion on Ukraine and not all Russians identify with "Z". I did like discovering what's in one of Houston's Russian grocery stores as I hadn't been to one before. I left from university to the store and it wasn't hard to navigate around the neighborhood that the destination was at, although didn't know that part of its route was similar to Route 4 Beechnut. This route goes from Texas Medical Center Transit Center to El Franco Lee Health Center and passes by West Loop TC when going westbound.

Feb 8 2022: Route 102 Bush IAH Express (unfinished)
Destination: Waffle House
This was months before a "chair fight" happened at another Texas location 😂😭 and I hadn't tried Waffle House before so I thought I should try it out. I had a patty melt as it was lunch and it was good, although I was late for my Figure Drawing I class as I missed the bus by not standing up near its stop sign and would've saved money from Uber if it weren't for that. Oh well, it was worth trying out anyway. The route goes to Terminal C of Bush Airport from St Joseph Pkwy @ San Jacinto St and passes by several stops around Greenspoint when going northbound with I-45.

Feb 21 2022: Route 137 Northshore Express (finished)
Destination: Maxey Park & Ride
This is the opposite side of town for me and didn't have much to do here but was like fuck it as I went anyway. It's good to know which part of the city it's at for whenever someone says where they're from or in case may ask for directions. This route goes from Pierce St @ Smith St and passes by Daikin/ Minute Maid Park while going to the aforementioned P&R eastbound with I-10. Kinda funny seeing an Ojos Locos Sports Cantina near a Texas DPS center lol.

Feb 22 2022: Route 14 Hiram Clarke (finished)
Destination: Hiram Clarke Transit Center/ Screwed Up Records & Tapes
I've used this route before but never saw the end of it until that day and don't regret it. As a Houstonian, knowing about DJ Screw is a must. I haven't delved into his discography as much as some of my peers did years prior, although I gained an appreciation for his significance in Hip hop and Houston culture. This route goes from TMC TC and passes by Jollibee and a METRO bus facility when going southbound to Hiram Clarke TC. The record store is across the street east from the transit center.

Feb 23 2022: Route 108 Veterans Memorial Express (finished) and Route 96 Veterans Memorial (unfinished)
Destination: North Shepherd Park & Ride/Veterans Memorial Dr @ FM 1960 Rd
These routes would've been better if I used them earlier in the day than near evening but went anyway. I thought about going to a Half Price Books with Route 96 after several of them had closed, however didn't. Knowing where Veterans Memorial Dr helped later on when someone didn't know how to get to the area by bus and thank goodness METRO has buses that go outbound quickly. Also didn't know there was a huge Vietnamese population at that part of town as I'd been sheltered but this bus journey helped a bit with that. Route 108 goes from St Joseph Pkwy @ Fannin St to North Shepherd P&R with I-45. Route 96 goes from Northline TC and passes by several markets and schools while going to FM 1960 northbound.

Feb 27 2022: Route 10 Willowbend (unfinished?)
Destination: Dr. Now's office/ Evelyn's Park Conservancy
TBH, I wasn't heading to these places at first nor used the bus for this route to where I actually went that day, although found out where parts of "My 600-lbs life" takes place. They didn't call Space City "the fattest city" for no reason years ago but the food here hits good tho.
Evelyn's Park Conservancy is cool for checking out the "Alice in Wonderland"-esque sculpture and other amenities. Also found out a friend of a friend sold snowcones with his uncle here at some point. This route goes from TMC TC to Fondren Rd @ Willowbend Blvd when going westbound.

Mar 2 2022: Route 52 Hardy – Ley (finished)
Destination: Mesa Transit Center/ BunnyStop
I saw what some of Northeast Houston looks like and damn do y'all deserve better, although I did like a few things during my brief time there. The BunnyStop gas station nearby had drink options I wasn't aware of or didn't expect to see again like the "nipple bottle" Gatorade. Anyway, this route passes by many schools and Casa de Amigos Health Center when going northbound from Downtown TC to Mesa TC.

Mar 6 2022: Route 39 Katy Freeway (unfinished)
Destination: Pom Pom Tina
I've used this route before but haven't gone past Beltway 8 with it until that day. There were some cool stuff I saw at the toy store like a Darth Vader that's shorter than me :p. Like the name says, this route is on I-10 and goes from Northwest TC and passes by Memorial City Mall when going westbound to Britoak Ln @ Yorkchester Dr.

Mar 7 2022: Route 5 Southmore (finished)
Destination: Allendale/ Flagstone Terace @ Richey St
I didn't really have business in the neighborhood but it's good to know where some schools in the area are as before I wouldn't have known. I brought an umbrella as it rained earlier that day and saw a mural regarding BLM. This route passes by the MacGregor H‑E‑B and Houston Botanic Garden when going eastbound from Wheeler TC to the Meadowbrook/Allendale area.

Mar 10 2022: Route 32 Renwick/San Felipe* (unfinished?)
Destination: Golden Grain This was before Route 32 got split up into Route 32 and 35.* Another Russian-based store, it's sad that it closed (sometime after 2024) although I did enjoy a bag of chips from there. This route went from N Braeswood Blvd @ Chimney Rock Rd? to Pierce St @ Travis St when going eastbound.

Mar 31 2022: Route 45 Tidwell (unfinished)
Destination: Mesa Transit Center
I first saw a yellow seat that was made as a tribute to Rosa Parks and been seeing more yellow seats ever since. I also found out that a friend uses this route as this was heading to their side of town, so that was interesting. This route passes by Cinemark Tinseltown 290 and Northline TC as it goes eastbound from West Little York Park & Ride to Mesa TC.

Apr 4 2022: Route 88 Sagemont (finished)
Destination: San Jacinto College South
I saw a recurring pattern in how some of the streets were named as it either kept having "Kirk" or "Sage" in several street names when nearing my destination and it's the furthest southeast that the METRO will go on the weekends. This route goes from Hobby Airport and passes by Almeda Mall when going eastbound to San Jac College.

Apr 11 2022: Route 170 Missouri City P&R*** (unfinished)
Destination: Fondren Transit Center/ Taco Bell
This was before it was merged into Route 270 and discontinued their route to Fondren Transit Center.*** Around Beltway 8 and Fondren Rd is where Missouri City borders Houston as a street sign was blue and said "5 Corner District" on it instead of being the usual green sign. After a 20 minute walk to the nearest Taco Bell, I headed home and later surprised one of my brothers with food as it was his birthday. He was ok with it. This route goes from TMC TC to Fort Bend Pkwy Toll Rd @ Knight Rd with US 90 Alt when going southbound.

Apr 12 2022: Route 292 Southwest Freeway / TMC P&R** (finished)
Destination: Texas Medical Center
This was before the route to Westwood Park & Ride was discontinued.** Sometimes I don't feel like using my usual route to university and use another one instead, but this time one I hadn't used and tried in the past. Years prior, I didn't know how Park and Ride schedules worked and I leave home last minute 😓. Anyway, within the Red Light District or the "Track", is where Westwood P&R goes northbound with I-69/US 59 to TMC TC.

Apr 15 2022: Route 248 El Dorado P&R* (finished?)
Destination: Baybrook Mall
This is before it was merged into Route 244 and Route 249.* Out of the other Houston malls I'd been to (even though it's in Friendswood), this one was the best in comparison. Although very inconvenient to go to if one is broke and doesn't have/drive a car. The nearest bus stop felt like a 20 minute walk instead of 10 minutes. Anyway, the route goes from Franklin St @ Congress St and passes by Eastwood TC and Monroe Park & Ride while using I-45 to El Dorado Park and Ride eastbound.

Apr 21 2022: Route 151 Westpark Express (finished)
Destination: Mission Bend Park & Ride
Similar to the Apr 12 entry, sometimes I don't like using my usual route home. Anyway, this route goes from Minute Maid Park and passes by both Hillcroft and Gessner Park and Rides while using Westpark Tollway when going westbound.

Apr 22 2022: Route 399 Kuykendahl Shuttle (unfinished?)
Destination: Kuykendahl Park and Ride
~ Pronunciation check! "KIRK n dahl" ~
If you said it like the quotation marks at first, you are probably a local from the area or knew about its history/ if not: someone who learned it the hard way. Anyway, I didn't use the bus as it was getting late but from Ella Blvd @ Kuykendahl Rd, I walked from there to the P&R and back to see where else the shuttle passes by. This route goes from the aforementioned P&R to Greenspoint TC going southbound.

May 2 2022: Route 30 Clinton/ Ella (unfinished)
Destination: Clinton Park
This park was a 10 minute walk from the nearest bus stop and hopefully I learn how to skateboard at some point as this was the 1st skatepark I visited. Also saw a rabbit run through a small hole in a fence near the bus stop before going back to downtown. This route passes by Acres Homes TC, North Shepherd P&R, and Port of Houston when going eastbound.

May 6 2022: Route 11 Almeda/ Lyons (finished)
Destination: HCC - Northeast Campus
I've already used part of this route and with how many important stops it has, I'm surprised it doesn't run as frequent as Route 82 Westheimer although that's not my choice to decide. Maybe it has something to do with the side of town it's on. Anyway, this route goes from Hiram Clarke TC to the community college as it passes by Fannin South TC, Downtown TC, Fifth Ward/ Denver Harbor TC, when going northbound.

May 15 2022: Route 77 Homestead (finished)
Destination: Big City Foods
I didn't really got to the destination as it was getting late. I went to a graduation ceremony earlier as a few of my friends were graduating and talked to them for a bit before going separate ways. Thankfully, I didn't lose my backpack there. Other than that I didn't have much to do that day so I decided to go to another far asf area again 😜. This route goes from 5th ward/ Denver Harbor TC to Homestead Rd @ Hartwick St and passes by several schools when going northbound.

May 20 2022: Route 204 Spring P&R (finished?)
Destination: Spring Park and Ride
I was heading to a friend's graduation party and this P&R was nearby. The party went well and having other friends/colleagues helped with that. This route goes from Travis St @ Jefferson St to the aforementioned P&R and passes by Kuykendahl Park & Ride with I-45 going northbound.

May 25 2022: Route 85 Antoine/ Washington (finished?)
Destination: Dairy Queen
I didn't need to go this far to try a DQ, although wanted to go there as a pit stop. Their Very Cherry Chip Blizzard was good, although I was picky when eating the cherries. Anyway, this route goes from Northwest TC to either SH 249 or Greenspoint TC when going northbound.

Jul 21 2022: Route 83 Lee Road - JFK (finished)
Destination: Eastex Park & Ride
I have tried going to Eastex Park & Ride before but didn't until now as it was getting dark when I last tried. This route goes from Tidwell TC to John F Kennedy Blvd @ World Houston Pkwy as it passes by Eastex P&R when northbound.

Aug 25 2022: Route 49 Chimney Rock/ S. Post Oak (unfinished)
Destination: Doña Leti’s
I've heard about the restaurant from a Reddit post and tried their Birria Taco Plate. It was delicious, although saved some as leftovers as the dish was a large serving and already felt like I took too long trying to finish eating it. This route passes by Bellaire TC, West Loop TC and goes from Northwest TC to S Post Oak going southbound.

Sep 6 2022: Route 29 Cullen/Hirsch (finished) Destination: Crestmont Park/ MLK Blvd @ Madden Ln/ MLK Discount Stop Like the Mar 2 entry, I found some drinks that I didn't know existed like Mountain Dew's "Mango Gem" from their Baja Blast line and mango flavored items go hard. This route goes from Kashmere TC to Madden Ln and passes by UH Main and Southeast TC when going southbound.

Sep 26 2022: Route 3 Langley - Little York (finished)
Destination: Burnett Transit Center
This was an interesting ride as I saw more of the multifaceted areas of northern Houston within 3 hours. A bus shelter in Greater Inwood was green instead of the usual black or grey. Also, one house I passed by in Kashmere Gardens stood out from the rest of the neighborhood as it looked dilapidated than the others. This route goes from Hollister Rd @ Little York Rd to Burnett TC and passes by Acres Home TC, North Shepherd P&R, Kashmere TC, and LBJ Hospital when going southbound.

Oct 25 2022: Route 7 West Airport & 54 Scott (finished)
Destination: West Loop Transit Center/Hiram Clarke TC
I think this was my 1st time going to West Loop TC and ngl it kinda seemed like a "parkour-able" area (I did some parkour there) while waiting on a bus heading downtown, so that was fun and the shelter was clean too. Before heading home, I saw a fellow university student on the 54 bus/found out which part of town they're from by accident. Route 7 goes from S Gessner Rd @ Fondren Meadow Dr to West Loop TC when going eastbound. Route 54 goes from Downtown TC to Hiram Clarke TC when going southbound.

Oct 27 2022: Route 70 Memorial (finished)
Destination: Northwest Transit Center
This was a quick ride to downtown as there was no else on the bus other than the driver and I that morning. There were also a lot of curved roads, so the driver should be well experienced in driving them. This route goes from Brittmoore Rd @ Westview Dr to Northwest TC and passes by Memorial City Mall when going eastbound.

Dec 10 2022: Route 75 Eldridge (finished)
Destination: Clayton HOA Clubhouse
Another friend graduated that year and he invited me to the venue. The grad party for him went well and it was nice to know more things about him from that. I transferred routes several times from Minute Maid Park so it was definitely a long ride and thankfully was able to make it there in time. This route goes from Addicks Park & Ride to Richmond Ave @ S Richmond Ave and passes by West Oaks Mall and Mission Bend TC when going southbound.

Dec 12 2022: Route 59 Aldine Mail (finished)
Destination: North Shepherd Park and Ride
This route goes from Easthampton Dr @ Eastex Fwy to North Shepherd P&R and passes by a restaurant called "Hippo Burgers" and several schools when going westbound. I haven't been to that restaurant so I can't describe how it's like.

Dec 13 2022: Route 23 Clay/ West 43rd (finished)
Destination: Northline Transit Center
When heading to the 1st bus stop of the route, I went through a neighborhood and saw a car that could end up in a bayou if their owner wasn't careful enough as there was no solid barrier from their house connecting to the nearby bridge. When heading downtown from Northline, I also noticed a mural on the stairs at Burnett TC. Anyway, this route goes from Pittner Rd @ Roma St to Northline TC and passes by a food store called "Nani Food Mart", US 290 and several schools when going eastbound. Also I'm sure the name has nothing to do with anime or Japanese culture lol.

Dec 15 2022: Route 44 Acres Homes (finished)
Destination: Lone Star College - University Park
It's good to see different colleges from the one I attended at and this one had a wall describing Earth's geological periods so that was cool. The college has a modern look as it was established around 2010. This route goes from St Joseph Pkwy @ San Jacinto St to the aforementioned college and uses SH 249 going northbound.

Jan 26 2023: Route 87 Sunnyside (finished)
Destination: Fannin South Transit Center/ Southland Market
Sunnyside is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods but if you're careful and not causing harm, you should be okay. I found out that AriZona (yes that Iced Tea company) sold fruit snacks after going to a small convenience store. This route passes by the Houston Texans YMCA and the Star of Hope Mission when going southbound from TMC TC to Fannin South TC.

Feb 10 2023: Route 86 FM 1960/ Imperial Valley (unfinished?)
Destination: Willowbrook
I wanted to use another route to Willowbrook Mall as if I was from an area near that side of town and got to see more there than when I last went there. The route goes from Greenspoint TC to Willowbrook Mall with FM 1960 when going westbound.

Mar 2 2023: Route 360 Peerless Shuttle (finished)
Destination: South Park/ Jutland Rd @ Bellfort St
Like Sunnyside, this area is also known to be a rough neighborhood although not ranked above the former. This route passes by several schools as it goes from Southeast TC to that intersection in South Park when going eastbound.

Mar 27 2023: Route 161 Wilcrest Express (finished)
Destination: Downtown Transit Center
Like the Willowbrook entry, I wanted to see how someone from an area nearby would use the West Bellfort Park and Ride. This route goes from West Bellfort P&R to Downtown TC and passes by Northwest TC as it uses I-10 when going northbound.

Mar 29 2023: Route 67 Dairy Ashford (finished)
Destination: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
I wasn't here for too long and their fries and cheese curds were good. The route goes from Bissonnet St @ Dairy Ashford Rd to Addicks Park and Ride and passes by several schools and Seiwa Market when going northbound.

Apr 13 2023: Route 99 Ella – FM 1960 (finished)
Destination: Lone Star College - North Harris
Most people I've met in university were either from this side of town or somewhere else far, and I wanted to see how it was like around there. This route goes from North Shepherd P&R to the community college and passes by an immigration office, Greenspoint TC, National Museum of Funeral History, and Spring P&R when going northbound.

May 16 2023: Route 247 Fuqua (finished)
Destination: Fuqua Park & Ride
~ Pronunciation check! "few kway" ~
Like Kuykendahl, some people pronounce this wrong too, I was one of them. Anyway, after walking to the nearest movie theater, I watched "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" (despite not watching the franchise before) with some friends and the film was great although bittersweet. The route goes from Franklin St @ Crawford St to the aforementioned P&R going eastbound with I-45.

Aug 18 2023: Route 222 Grand Parkway P&R (finished)
Destination: Grand Parkway Park and Ride / Kinokuniya
I knew of the bookstore thanks to a flyer that one of my other brothers left behind before he moved out and don't regret going there. Although, it's far as Kinokuniya is in Katy's Asiatown and the area is similar to Houston's Chinatown. At the P&R, someone asked how to use the METRORail for their son going to university before heading downtown. This routes uses I-10 to 99 going westbound.

Aug 24 2023: Route 217 Cypress P&R (finished)
Destination: Cypress Park and Ride
I posted a few images of this in a story on my former IG account and knowing about the area, it lived to its expectation as the bus shelter was clean. This route goes from downtown to the P&R and uses US 290 going westbound as it passes by Northwest TC. After heading downtown, I saw "#WeAreHouston" (for the city's upcoming FIFA26 hosting) on nearby concrete and I'm not feeling it as Houston is not really a tourist-friendly city, regardless of me not being interested in sports.

Aug 30 2023: Route 259 Eastex/Townsen/Kingwood (finished)
Destination: Townsen Park and Ride
I thought about going to Deerbrook Mall but did not as it was near evening and didn't want to use Uber going back. I also saw a friend (as he was going to his car at another P&R) while on here lol. Anyway, this route goes from St Joseph Pkwy @ Louisiana St the aforementioned P&R and it uses US 59 when going northbound.

Sep 7 2023: Route 236 Baytown P&R (finished)
Destination: Baytown Park and Ride
I haven't been to Baytown before and saw a fire hydrant that painted silver instead of the usual blue and green or white. My iPhone died right after I opened the Uber app and after charging it with a portable charger, I went downtown with Uber as I used the last bus going there 😓 . This route goes from Pierce St @ Smith St to the aforementioned P&R and passes by a shipyard as it uses I-10 going eastbound.

Sep 19 2023: Route 221 Kingsland P&R (finished)
Destination: Kingsland Park and Ride
The inside of the bus shelter has a pattern that looks like it could be a desktop background. Anyway, this route goes from Louisiana St @ Jefferson the P&R and uses I-10 going westbound.

Sep 26 2023: Route 255 Kingwood P&R (finished)
Destination: Kingwood Park and Ride
People don't call Kingwood "The Livable Forest" for no reason, as there were a bunch of trees. Specifically, Brazilian rosewood trees as I was told. Anyway, this route goes from St Joseph Pkwy @ Smith St to the P&R and uses US 59 going northbound.

Oct 24 2023: Route 271 Missouri City - SH 6 P&R* (finished)
Destination: Dutch Bros Coffee
This is before it was merged into Route 270 and the 271 number was discontinued.*
Like the DQ entry, I didn't need to go this far for a Dutch Bros, but it gave me a reason to use this route. Their Shark Attack energy drink was good and not surprisingly sugary. I also saw a health inspection sign there and MoCity doesn't fuck around. Anyway, this routes goes from TMC TC and uses US 90 Alt going westbound.

Nov 14 2023: Route 162 Memorial Express (finished)
Destination: Memorial Dr @ Wycliffe Dr
I've been listening to some emo music lately and in Emo Side Project's "It Could've Been Different", they reference Wycliffe and Houston in the lyrics, suggesting they lived around there before moving away. Like Route 161, this route also uses I-10 going westbound from Downtown TC but goes to Addicks P&R instead.

Nov 21 2023: Route 102 Bush IAH
Express (finished)
Destination: Bush IAH Airport Terminal C
Instead of Waffle House, I decided to go to the airport for the 1st time and wanted to see a friend that worked there but couldn't see him at the time. This is usually the 1st place a Houston tourist/immigrant would be if flying from elsewhere. Either way, it was nice to see info of important Houstonians over some walls like a museum.

Sep 10 2024: Route 35 San Felipe (finished)
Destination: Pierce St @ Travis St
I found out that the former Route 32 Renwick/ San Felipe had been split up days prior to riding and it was not easily listed on Google Maps, which made it hard to navigate this route. However, it's possible and for me it was better to head downtown than to leave downtown with this bus. The route starts at Winsome Ln @ Fountain View Dr and passes by several schools and a Barnes & Noble as it goes to Pierce St @ Travis St when going eastbound.

Apr 28 2025: Route 500 IAH Downtown Direct (finished)
Destination: Bush IAH Airport Terminal C
This is another route that goes to Bush IAH but this one goes to the airport only instead of having stops in between. Nearby George R. Brown Convention Center is the parking garage building that has signs leading to the bus stop inside. It was hard to navigate at first as I didn't see their direct schedule from their webpage before riding and Google Maps didn't list them as another route to the aforementioned airport yet, but it'd be easier if it was listed. This route uses US 59/I-69 to the airport, while Route 102 uses I-45.