The goals of these funds are to continue with the operations of two main transit services. 1-the woodlands express commuter bus service and; 2-the woodlands town center trolley service

This Federal Transit Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (CFDA 20.507) provides $4,091,701 in funding to The Woodlands Township in Texas. The grant supports the continued operations of two key public transit services: the Woodlands Express commuter bus service and the Woodlands Town Center Trolley service. Specifically, the funding will cover capital costs for contracting the Woodlands Express bus operations, provide 50% of the operating expenses for both the commuter bus and local trolley services, and fund 80% of the costs for transit planning activities. The grant is expected to maintain reliable transit service, increase passenger capacity and ridership, and improve air quality in the region by reducing individual vehicle use. The award period runs from August 2024 through March 2027.

Activities

Capital cost of contracting is to be used as reimbursement for a third-party contract for the woodlands express commuter bus operations. The woodlands express operates out of three park ride facilities in the woodlands TX and takes commuters to three major employment areas in houston TX. Operating assistance will be used to fund 50% of the operating expenses: wages/salaries benefits utilities telephone trolley maintenance parts security landscape maintenance janitorial pest control and fuel etc. Operating assistance will also be used to fund 50% of the park ride operating expenses. Planning activities will be used to support a third-party consultant service at a 80/20 share cost for the townships transit programs.

Expected outcomes

The capital cost of contracting and operating assistance will provide the following benefits: providing transportation options increasing passenger capacity/ridership increasing service frequency maintaining reliable transit service improving air quality in the area. The planning activities will provide benefits such as: improving transit service identifying service gaps or needs identifying inefficiencies project planning administration identifying service priorities identifying results from pilot projects staff training and technical assistance.

Intended beneficiaries

The woodlands township transit service provides transportation to work medical educational recreational and other venues within its route system. In addition to the economic benefits of employment the woodlands express fixed route bus service helps to improve air quality by reducing the number of individual vehicles on the roadway in its bus route network.