The cost to board The Woodlands Park and Ride will increase by $1 per round trip beginning May 2.

The township’s board of directors approved the increase during the March 24 board meeting. John McMullan was the only director to vote against the increase, which was tentatively approved by the board in January.

The last increase to the park and ride fee was in 2013 when it increased from $10 to $12. The township’s park and ride lots in Sterling Ridge, Grogan’s Mill and near Research Forest Drive take riders from The Woodlands to employment destinations in Houston.

McMullan questioned why there is a township policy calling for the park and ride system to eventually pay for itself but not a similar policy for the township’s trolley system.

“What I see is a very successful park and ride service that 1,500 of our residents rely on each day for work,” McMullan said. “Let’s consider the fare-free Town Center trolleys which have a much lower passenger load factor, which is to say they are much less successful than the park and ride service. We have chosen to use unrestricted funds to subsidize that service, which I believe has the effect of subsidizing those who own land in Town Center, primarily the [Woodlands Development Company]. That’s a concern I have with this.”

There was a 30-day public comment period for riders to submit comments. Although some riders questioned the necessity of a fare increase, a majority of directors said it is necessary at this time.

“We are trying to maintain and continue a service that people find value in not only in the township but the Greater Montgomery County area,” Director Gordy Bunch said. “There are hard decisions that have to be made to maintain this [service].”

McMullan also expressed concerns about declining ridership numbers, which are projected to decrease by 5 percent in 2016, according to township data.

The decline can be attributed to the downturn in the economy, the relocation of large energy companies moving closer to The Woodlands and individuals working from home, said Chris LaRue, transit program manager.