Township board approves $2 Woodlands Express fare increase, adds runs and retains fleet reserves

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors on Feb. 26 approved a $2 round‑trip fare increase for The Woodlands Express, increasing the round‑trip fare from $15 to $17 effective April 1, 2026, and authorized two additional service runs to respond to changing commuting patterns.

Ruth Anne Haught, the township's director of transportation infrastructure, told the board staff opened a 30‑day public participation period on Jan. 5 and received seven email comments — all opposing the increase. Haught said ridership has climbed sharply in recent years: "Between 2023 and 2024, ridership increased 11%, and then this previous year from 2024 to 2025, we saw an additional 14% increase," and she noted a 22% year‑over‑year increase in January 2026 ridership data. She said the additional two runs would primarily target midday and return trips to address commuter schedules.

"So the recommendation for this evening is to approve a $2 fare increase for The Woodlands Express Park and Ride program ... for implementation on 04/01/2026 and also approve 2 additional runs," Haught said during her presentation.

Directors discussed whether residents should receive a reduced fare compared with nonresident riders and whether the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) would allow such a program. Haught said the township collects origin‑destination ZIP code data and can report the residential share of riders; she also said typical reduced‑fare categories include seniors, veterans and students and that the township would consult the FTA on any resident‑only discount.

The motion to raise fares and add the runs was moved and seconded and carried after a voice vote.

In related action earlier in the evening, the board approved staff's recommendation to retain 4 Town Center trolleys and 14 Woodlands Express coach buses "for operational flexibility and adequate fleet reserves" and authorized staff to dispose of the remaining vehicles in compliance with FTA disposal policy. Haught explained that retained vehicles meet federal useful‑life scoring and can offset contractor‑owned buses that are currently used at a higher hourly cost. The board approved the retention and disposal authorization on a voice vote.

Board members also approved a separate motion to proceed with an in‑house redesign and installation of new wraps for 14 existing buses, with a budget amendment not to exceed $110,000 funded from hotel occupancy tax. Staff presented three options for wraps: keep the existing design (no cost); an in‑house redesign with wrap installation ($75,000–$110,000); or an outsourced design plus installation ($90,000–$158,000). The board voted to proceed with the in‑house option to expedite installation and avoid a longer RFP process tied to federal procurement rules.

What comes next

The fare change is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2026, pending required public‑notification steps. Staff will implement the additional runs and provide follow‑up data to the board on origin‑destination patterns and any targeted reduced‑fare options.