Six redesigned Town Center Trolleys are now rolling through The Woodlands, giving holiday shoppers a free way to hop between the mall, Market Street and the Waterway without worrying about parking. The upgraded fleet brings low-entry access for wheelchairs and other mobility devices, permanent rear windows and improved air conditioning to a service that's long been a staple for visitors and residents alike.
The Woodlands Township officially unveiled the six new trolleys on Saturday, November 7, according to woodlandsonline.com, and the vehicles are now in service, normally running seven days a week. The free shuttle traces an approximately 4.5-mile loop connecting The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, Town Center, The Woodlands Waterway and Hughes Landing, the outlet reports, making it a convenient option for anyone looking to dodge holiday traffic and crowded parking lots this season. As CW39 Houston noted in its report on the rollout, the upgraded fleet includes improved accessibility features and real-time tracking for riders.
What's New on the Redesigned Trolleys
Beyond the low-entry boarding that makes it easier for passengers using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, the new trolleys also feature permanent rear windows, a design tweak from the open-air look of older models. Both the existing and new trolleys run on propane, per the same woodlandsonline.com account. Riders can track the trolleys in real time and check routes and schedules through the Woodlandstransit website, the report notes.
There's also a hometown touch to the new fleet: the six trolleys carry names pulled from a community suggestion contest held earlier this year, according to Community Impact.
A Long Road From Approval to Rollout
The project traces back to April 2024, when the township's board of directors approved $2.2 million to purchase the six trolleys. Community Impact reported at the time that the board authorized an additional $732,432 on top of a budgeted $1.5 million to cover the total cost. Officials at the time described the planned upgrades much as they've now arrived — a low entry point for wheelchair accessibility and permanent rear windows.
By early 2026, officials said the new trolleys could be in operation by spring, per Community Impact's earlier reporting. The fleet ultimately didn't debut until the November 7 unveiling, months after that initial timeline. The service has also expanded its reach in recent years; additional stops added in March 2025 connected riders to event parking and Riva Row Boathouse, according to woodlandsonline.com.
