The city of Conroe is adjusting the routes of its Conroe Connection bus system to make it easier for riders to reach the city police department and municipal court. The changes will go into effect by mid-Novemeber.

Buses on the north route will no longer loop around the Dugan area in central Conroe and will instead reach the recently opened law enforcement complex on Plantation Drive, said Tommy Woolley, assistant director of projects and transportation.

“The main reason for the adjustments is the new police station [and court building],” Woolley said.

The system’s south route will remain unchanged except for some minor upgrades in signage placement. Conroe Transportation Manager Shawn Johnson said the changes are relatively minor and affect less than 25 percent of the entire system.

Johnson said her team continues to educate riders with handouts and by talking with riders on the buses during various times.

“The police station and court really pushed us to clean up some things to keep the wait time under an hour,” she said.

The transit system was formed in 2013 and launched in January 2015 with the north and south routes. Today, buses run 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on certain holidays.

The routes take passengers from Loop 336 and along North Frazier and Wilson roads with a loop in the Dugan area. Buses are scheduled to arrive every hour at each stop, and residents can find a detailed list of stop locations and times on the city’s website.

With about 700 riders per week, Johnson said the program has been well received in the community. She said officials make riders their first priority when looking at route adjustments.

Looking forward, Woolley said officials know residents are interested in an east-to-west route and to locations, such as the library and the H-E-B at Hwy. 105 and Loop 336. For a third route to become a reality, however, the city would need to secure additional funding and a third bus.

A third route will likely not take shape until 2018.