The pilot route for The Woodlands trolley system concluded resident feedback in July, but the trial period is set to continue to gather more data.

The Woodlands Township board of directors voted at the Aug. 17 budget workshop to further analyze the new trolley route that has been in motion since April, to add one additional trolley to the existing route, and to set aside funding for future capital improvements for the trolley system.

Transit program manager Chris LaRue said 397 surveys collected from the new route received overall positive feedback from residents. However, some township board members said they believed the data to be skewed because of heavy rain and construction projects occurring in Town Center in recent months.

“Our phase approach to getting data feedback is skewed,” township Director Gordy Bunch said. “The mall is under construction, and there was rain that wiped out measurable time periods. I think the prudent approach would be to get data we can take action on.”

Bunch said by continuing to collect updated data, the board can review it and make a decision by the end of the year.

Township Director John McMullan said the trolley system should not be expanded at all since it is not a major mode of transportation in The Woodlands.

“I think trolley service is doomed because it’s something residents don’t want,” McMullan said.

LaRue said stops for the trolley route are placed at the highest activity centers at outside street stops. The highest performing stop is from Market Street to The Woodlands Mall, and the lowest performing stop is at The Village at the Woodlands Waterway.

LaRue said moving into Phase 2 of the pilot program would include making the existing pilot program stops permanent, adding shelters and benches at stops and adding additional vehicles to peak operating times and adjusting hours.

Board Chairman Ed Robb echoed Bunch and said the current study needs more feedback, which means the board will take longer to come up with a better solution.

“I see [the trolleys] as a benefit,” Robb said. “It helps us be a special place and in tangible ways, enhances our brand and gives us a quality of life ... I think we have a long way to go for it to really be effective. I’m going to be for a trolley system, but I can’t justify it at its present utilization and how it’s currently run. I don’t want to put structures up till I know where they’re good to go.”