Because of several years of increased operating costs, The Woodlands Township has recommended an increase in The Woodlands Express park and ride fares to cover the rising expense.

Since 2010, the hourly cost to the township to operate the buses has increased from about $138 to $207, but the fares have not increased, said township director Mike Bass.

"The basic bottom line is that the cost has gone up, and now we're providing better buses and improved services," Bass said.

The township has asked the Brazos Transit District to initiate a rate increase that would raise the daily bus fare from $10 to $12 beginning Nov. 1.

"We're up more than $75 per hour under the new contracts, so we're looking at increasing the fare to the same level of cost," township director Gordy Bunch said. "If you look at it pro rata, the fare request is equal to the cost increase."

The township contracts with the Brazos Transit District to provide park and ride services at three stations in The Woodlands, including Research Forest, Sterling Ridge and Sawdust Road. Last year, the U.S. Census Bureau designated The Woodlands and Conroe as a large urban area because of population increase, which means the township will be required to take future ownership of its park and ride program next year.

Based on recent surveys by the township, the park and ride system keeps about 900,000 drivers off the road each year, said township chairman Bruce Tough.

"If you put that amount of cars on I-45, it would create serious traffic issues, and we would jeopardize our attainment goals for the Houston-Galveston region," he said.

As the township prepares for the takeover, it is exploring other ways to ensure the park and ride service remains viable, including offering different route schedules and possibly purchasing its own buses, the latter of which will be discussed during the board's strategic planning retreat this month.

"We can't operate below costs for too long, because that's not practical," Bunch said. "We do want to have a long-term, viable park and ride system so the folks who made the decision to move here for that amenity can continue to enjoy those services."

The Houston-Galveston Area Council offers a grant program that would provide a 50 percent match, or $10 million, to go toward the $20 million investment of buying about 40 new buses.

Money spent on the buses would require the township to issue bonds, which would be paid for through the park and ride operations. If the township owned the buses, it would drop the operating cost to between $145–$160 an hour, Bass said.

"Part of keeping the fare increase from going up higher is purchasing our own buses," he said. "We are waiting to hear back from the H-GAC on the terms of the grant."

Any bus tickets purchased prior to Nov. 1 will be honored at the $10 rate.

Residents can send their comments concerning the proposed rate increase via mail to the Brazos Transit District at 1759 N. Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan, Texas, 77803. Comments must be received by Oct. 19.