The Woodlands Township Board of Directors approves transportation changes, upgrades

THE WOODLANDS, TX – At its most recent meeting, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors approved three agenda items related to the Township’s trolleys, buses, and transportation issues.

First approved was an increase in fares and related service for The Woodlands Express. Director of Transportation Ruthanne Haut reviewed proposed service changes and fare adjustments for The Woodlands Express bus service. A two-dollar fare increase was proposed for The Woodlands Express Park and Ride program, raising the round-trip fare from $15 to $17 effective April 1, 2026. In addition to the fare increase, staff proposed a second midday run from Downtown Houston to all three Park and Ride locations and a second 3:10 p.m. run from Downtown Houston to the Sterling Ridge Park and Ride to address rider requests for earlier return options. The Board unanimously approved the fare increase and service changes as presented.

The second agenda item approved was the vehicle disposition options for The Woodlands Express commuter buses and Town Center trolley fleet. The Township’s Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan indicates that existing trolleys have met their useful life. Several commuter buses are also approaching that threshold. In 2026, the Township will receive 25 new commuter buses and six trolleys. FTA allows four disposition options for vehicles beyond useful life: retain and use elsewhere, transfer to another grantee, sell vehicles, or buy out federal interest. To maintain operational flexibility and ensure adequate fleet reserves, staff proposed retaining four Town Center Trolleys and 14 The Woodlands Express commuter buses for future use, whether services provided are federally or non-federally funded. The Board unanimously approved the retention of four Town Center Trolleys and 14 The Woodlands Express commuter buses for future operational flexibility and adequate fleet reserve and authorized staff to dispose of the remaining vehicles in compliance with FTA disposal policy.

The third transportation-related agenda item approved by the Board was the bus wrap design for The Woodlands Express. The Board considered options for updating the wrap design of The Woodlands Express fleet in advance of receiving 25 new buses later this year. Director of Transportation Ruthanne Haut reviewed three options: maintain the current design at no cost, implement a new design using in-house Communications staff with wrap installation for the existing 14 buses not to exceed $110,000, or pursue an outsourced design through an RFP process with higher projected costs and additional time requirements. Director of Communications LeaAnn Petersen presented four sample in-house concepts aligned with the Energy Corridor branding introduced in 2025, featuring art, nature, sports and community themes while retaining Visit The Woodlands branding on the back of the buses.

Board discussion focused on branding consistency, marketing value, cost differences between in-house and contracted services, federal procurement requirements and project timing ahead of the anticipated September delivery. The Board voted 6 to 1 to proceed with a new in-house design for the fleet, with Chairman Brad Bailey opposed and expressing a preference to outsource the design.