The Courier of Montgomery County reports that the cost of Conroe’s commuter bus service program to Houston has been driven 40% higher because of inflation. In order to keep the program going, the Conroe City Council okayed a $180,000 budget amendment.
Assistant City Administrator and Director of Community Development, Nancy Mikeska, said her department, back in October, was not able to budget for it because her department was not aware of the large increase. However, she thinks a positive result has been provided by the service for Conroe.
She said over 2,000 people are riding monthly.
Since the service was initiated in April of 2019, the fare has remained at $8. The bus schedule allows for two trips in the morning hours and two in the evening.
An interlocal agreement with the Metropolitan Transit Authority is the contractual basis for the service. Conroe has extended its agreement with Metro through next year, including opportunities for two one-year extensions along with the budget amendment.
The operation provided the city with an 80% reimbursement from the first year. This was followed by 70% by the second and third year. According to Conroe Transportation Manager Shawn Davis, for 2024 and 25, the cost will be covered by the general fund. The program cost comes in at around $776,000.
The city is on a financial path to recover $162,144 in fares for 2024. Fare recovery, averaged monthly, is $13,512.
