By MIKE MYERS
The Belton Journal
The HOP – Hill Country Transit District held a ribbon cutting in Belton on Friday to launch its final testing and rehearsal of their new Microtransit System. Service changes began on September 3rd, when the new vans literally rolled into Belton, replacing the fixed-route buses.
Riders will experience an enhanced and more efficient way to access Bell County transportation services in five regions of Bell County.
Derek Czapnik, Director of Urban Operations for HOP, explained that the shift away from traditional fixed routes will be more flexible.
Instead of waiting at a bus stop, riders can now request a ride by downloading the HOP app on an Android or iOS device.
The system operates similar to an Uber format.
After making a request from any location in the designated Microtransit zones, a HOP vehicle will arrive at your location.
Riders can request to be picked up at their home, a grocery store, doctor’s visit, school, and dropped off at their designated location. Routes can be scheduled to be picked up and dropped off ahead of time. Riders can travel the vans to a bus transfer area, between Temple, Belton, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Copperas Cove.
Along the route riders can broaden their designation simply by using the app to change to a new designation.
“There may be some confusion, or anxiety when learning to use the app,” Czapnik said.
He noted that using the app will be straightforward, similar to popular ride-sharing services like Uber.
Users simply need to input their phone numbers, and the intuitive interface will guide them through the booking process.
Czapnik emphasizes that anyone can ride and they don’t need to use an app. They can also phone The HOP’s customer service line to request a ride. Bookings can also be arranged two-weeks in advance.
With the new Microtransit Service, Hill County Transit Service will be able to provide a larger service area, longer hours, increased frequency of trips available, decreased wait time, and decreased ride time.
There will be six fixed route services until the HOP addresses any unforeseen operational problems. The HOP will have three vans in Belton, for on-demand service to all passengers and ADA requests in the entire Microtransit service area.
According to Mercedes Sashay, Transit Planner, there have been 166 bookings for the first week of service. The HOP has invested in 80 white transit vans including ADA equipped vehicles.
Additionally, the number of HOP drivers will increase from 72 to approximately 96 with the enhanced improvements.
Requesting a ride through the app is a simple as entering your starting address and your destination address. Select the number of riders and the type of riders. Selecting Wheelchair- if needed- is critical.
Riders can view the HOP vehicle in the app as it comes to them. Pickup and drop-off times are updated in real time. With the changes from fixed routes to Microtransit services frequency and wait times will be about 30-40 minutes, compared to fixed route wait times of 1 hour/connector 2 hours.
Affordable for everyone, rides on the HOP micro-transit service will cost just $2 per person, with discounts available, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community. Customers must provide their own child seat.
To ensure customer support, a dedicated phone line will be available 24/7, staffed by both local personnel and a third-party agency named Spare. This initiative follows a successful pilot program launched in March for a similar Microtransit service at Fort Cavazos, which yielded efficient and effective results.
Microtransit services will run weekday hours from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., 14 hours.
For additional information visit www.takethehop.com or call the 24-hour number at (254) 933-3700 for information and booking rides.
