The HOP expands access across Central Texas with multimodal microtransit

The impact of multimodal transit at The HOP

• Ridership growth
  
  • 46,000 boardings in January 2025 (highest monthly ridership)
  • 3,000+ unique riders per month since September 2024
  • Riders take an average of 10 trips per month
• Service efficiency
  
  • 92% on-time performance (OTP) since launch
• Rider satisfaction
  • 96% approval rating, based on rider feedback, with widespread praise for affordability and accessibility

Challenge: Improving access and efficiency with a shift to microtransit

The Hill Country Transit District (HCTD) operates The HOP, a regional public transit system that has evolved from a volunteer-based service in the 1960s into a network covering four counties today.

By 2024, The HOP’s traditional fixed-route system was no longer meeting community needs, especially for rural residents, commuters, and college students.

Key challenges before the transition to microtransit included:

• Limited access in rural areas: Many residents had no reliable transit options for reaching job centers, medical appointments, and essential services.
• Inefficient cross-town and inter-city travel: Long wait times and multiple transfers made regional transit cumbersome.
• Static, inflexible service: Fixed routes could not adjust to fluctuating demand, leading to inefficient resource use.
• Gaps in commuter and student transit: Commuters and students needed better transit connections between key destinations.

Solution: Replacing fixed routes with on-demand microtransit and multimodal connections

To address these challenges, The HOP replaced underperforming Regional Commuter routes (also known as traditional fixed route lines) with an on-demand multimodal microtransit system powered by Spare, integrating connections across Central Texas, through the Spare One mobile app.

At the heart of The HOP’s seamless multimodal microtransit system is the Spare One App, which enables riders to effortlessly plan and book integrated trips across multiple transit modes. By centralizing microtransit, regional commuter routes, and Uber partnerships in a single platform, the Spare One App eliminates the complexities of multimodal travel.
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How The HOP microtransit system works

• On-demand ride booking via The HOP Rider App or call-in reservations
• Door-to-door microtransit service within each city
• Multimodal connections linking microtransit and regional commuter routes together in the Spare One App allows for a more integrated travel experience
• Regional Commuter routes for cross-city travel
• Uber partnerships through Open Fleets to increase travel options

Service coverage and operational details

• Urban service zones: Killeen, Temple, Belton, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove
• Rural service zones: Cameron, Gatesville, Lampasas, Salado
• Hours of operation:
  • Monday–Friday, 6 AM–8 PM (excluding federal holidays)
  • Rural: 8am - 5pm (excluding federal holidays)

• Fares:
  
  • $2 per one-way trip- Microtransit
  • Discounted passes: $4/day, $20/week, $50/month
  • 50% fare discount for riders with disabilities
  • $4 per one-way trip - Demand Response
  • $6 per one-way trip - Rural Commuter

"An additional benefit in transitioning to the Spare Platform and an on-demand microtransit service, is the ability to provide a more affordable transit system to our region with fare capping. Riders who cannot afford the cost of a Monthly Pass up front, are able to receive the same cost savings benefit as they pay for their individual rides. We have seen riders who, before the change, were only able to ride a handful of times a month, and are now riding dozens of times per month."
- Mercedes Foshag, Transit Planner, The HOP

Results: Increased ridership, improved service reliability, and optimized fleet performance

Since launching microtransit, The HOP has significantly improved service reliability and efficiency, while increasing ridership across Central Texas.

Increased ridership, service adoption and operational efficiency

• 46,000 boardings in January 2025—the highest ridership month to date since launch
• 3,000+ unique riders per month since launching microtransit in September 2024
• Riders can book through The HOP Rider App or call-in services‍
• 92% lifetime on-time performance (OTP) 

Real-world impact: connecting communities and expanding mobility

By replacing underperforming regional commuter routes with a flexible, multimodal transit model, The HOP has improved accessibility for key rider groups:

• Expanded job access – New transit routes now connect residents to job centers, industrial hubs, and business districts.
• More reliable healthcare transportation – Riders can attend medical appointments at the VA in Temple for example, without delays.
• Easier grocery and essential trips – Fewer residents rely on expensive delivery services.
• Better mobility for students – College students now have seamless cross-city transit options.
• Stronger cross-town connectivity – Multimodal services allow for easier, more efficient regional travel.

“We got everything we were looking for from Spare! Now stakeholders and riders are very happy, we've connected our entire region as one transit network and riders can use the Spare app to book trips across the region and pay on the Spare App. It's truly remarkable and our performance indicators are all trending in a very positive direction."
- Raymond Suarez, General Manager, The HOP

The HOP sets a new standard for rural and regional microtransit

The HOP’s transition to microtransit and recent rural expansion represents a significant achievement in public transit innovation. By leveraging Spare’s platform and data-driven planning tools, the agency has successfully provided an accessible, reliable, and affordable transit solution that enhances quality of life, stimulates economic growth, and aligns with its mission of providing safe and effective transportation for all Central Texas residents.

By transitioning to on-demand microtransit and multimodal service, The HOP is proving that microtransit can be a powerful solution for expanding mobility in both urban and rural areas. As they continue to refine and expand their microtransit services, The HOP is poised to remain a model for rural and regional microtransit success, ensuring sustainable and equitable mobility for years to come.
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"This service is a game-changer. It’s made jobs, healthcare, and education more accessible. I hope it stays for a LONG time." - Rider testimonial

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The HOP isn’t alone—transit agencies everywhere are boosting ridership and efficiency with Spare. Check out more success stories here.

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