The lobby of the Fonteno Senior Education Center is a sea of denim and flannel. A few cowboy hats stand out among the more than 30 people chatting, grabbing coffee, and a few are 1,000-piece puzzle. Soon, a Precinct 4 bus pulls up, and these 32 seniors are on their way to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for free.
This trip is just one of dozens organized monthly through Precinct 4’s Senior Bus Trip program. The outings go across the region — from downtown Houston to as far as Austin and Orange, Texas. Residents aged 50 and up can visit museums, lavender and honeybee farms, Ikea, and, of course, the rodeo.
“I hadn’t been [to the rodeo] in so long — probably 20 years,” said longtime Fonteno visitor Katherine Dorsey. “There’s so many problems with parking. The convenience of being dropped off right there and being picked up right there. It just works.”
For many seniors, these trips are essential, offering mobility and experiences that might otherwise be inaccessible. With driving long distances becoming increasingly difficult for many participants, the program ensures they can comfortably explore and stay active.
While these outings have been available at a select few centers for decades, Commissioner Lesley Briones has empowered center managers to expand the outings. Today, nearly every Precinct 4 community and senior center hosts trips, making it easier for older adults to explore the region and connect with their neighbors.
“For us, it’s so fun to get out and do something different and see something different,” said Katherine. “We’re at the stage now [where] we don’t want to sit at home all day. We want to do something.”
The majority of people on the bus trips are repeat customers. They sign up with their friends, spouses, or alone, knowing they will see someone they talk to at the community centers. By the time the bus reaches its destination, people often peel off in groups with their new friends to explore.
“It’s really learning about people,” said frequent bus tripper Carol Coleman. “We have such a diverse culture going in. It’s just really great. I love the bus trips.”
Carol has been coming to Fonteno for nearly five years. When the center started consistently offering bus trips in June 2024, Carol took notice. In 2025, she promised herself she would start taking advantage of the free and low-cost trips.
Since the start of the year, she’s been on five outings. Her favorite so far has been to The Menil Collection, and she’s looking forward to visiting Houston's Eternal Gandhi Museum.
“My father always talked about Mahatma Gandhi,” said Carol. “And I grew up wondering, ‘who is this man?’ I’m going to learn. These field trips are a learning tool.”
Bus trips leave every month from centers across the Precinct. Center staff recommends visitors sign up as soon as they can to ensure their spot. Visit Precinct 4’s website to find a trip leaving from a center near you.