The Woodlands Township has obtained approximately $25 million in federal funding to purchase 25 new commuter buses for The Woodlands Express. The new buses will replace contractor-owned vehicles and will include features such as charging outlets, footrests, and onboard restrooms. Delivery is expected in September 2026, and the township plans to retain around a dozen of the current buses as a backup fleet.
Board Signs Off On Big Bus Buy
According to The Woodlands Township, the board approved a procurement proposal last Wednesday following a competitive request for proposals. Motor Coach Industries was identified as the bidder that meets federal Buy America requirements. The briefing notes that the new buses will feature township branding and are expected to be delivered by September 2026.
Rider Upgrades: Outlets, Toilets And Bike Racks
The Houston Chronicle reports that the funding is provided through the Houston-Galveston Area Council and will cover most of the purchase cost. The new buses will include features such as charging outlets for phones and laptops, adjustable air conditioning vents, footrests, bike racks, and flushing toilets.
How The Purchase Is Being Paid For
Community Impact states that the total contract price is approximately $24.3 million, with funding provided by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration through H-GAC’s regional Carry Over Spend Down program. The article also notes that Motor Coach Industries will manufacture the buses, and that the township has budgeted around $25 million to cover the full cost of the purchase.
Where The Buses Will Run
The Woodlands Express serves major Houston job centers, including Downtown, the Texas Medical Center, Greenway Plaza, and the Energy Corridor. Combined with the township’s trolley system, it constitutes the region’s second-largest commuter bus network after Metro, the Houston Chronicle reports. Officials indicate that the new buses will operate on existing routes, so service patterns are expected to remain the same when the new vehicles are introduced.
Why Ownership Matters
Township officials indicate that purchasing the buses directly will reduce reliance on contractor-owned vehicles and is expected to lower annual operating costs over time, while providing the community with greater control over maintenance and branding. Community Impact states that the township plans to retain about 12 to 14 of the current buses as a reserve fleet once the new vehicles are delivered, which officials say may help further reduce costs.
Next Steps And Schedule
The township briefing indicates that the board has approved the vehicle manufacturing contract and will spend the coming months finalizing design and branding details, as well as determining the disposition of older contractor-owned buses. Delivery timelines and remaining contract details will be finalized ahead of the expected September 2026 arrival, and township staff say riders will be informed as schedules are confirmed.
