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Pearland park-and-ride program to start July 15
A long-awaited Pearland pilot park-and-ride program is set to start transporting Texas Medical Center commuters on July 15, but some motorists aren’t sure the program will fit their needs.
A long-awaited Pearland pilot park-and-ride program is set to start transporting Texas Medical Center commuters on July 15, but some motorists aren’t sure the program will fit their needs.
The service, which the city of Pearland previously reported would begin a week earlier on July 8, will be operated by the Coach USA transportation companyand will collect riders from a city-owned parking lot in Shadow Creek Ranch, 13050 Shadow Creek Parkway. The weekday service will make stops in the medical center and downtown Houston, according to a company website.
A round trip ticket costs $13.50 online and $16 at the bus stop. It's $66 for a 10-trip ticket and $250 for a monthly pass. Free parking is available to customers at the Shadow Creek Ranch lot.
Pearland Deputy City Manager Jon Branson has said the goal is to help reduce severe traffic congestion on Texas 288.
But some residents are balking at the price and travel time.
“It’s a 1.5-hour commute each way from Shadow Creek Ranch to downtown. That’s not even close to my worst day of driving. I may try it once, but I doubt it will be a good solution for me,” Pearland resident Michael McManus wrote on Facebook, adding that he would have to leave work early to catch the last pickup out of downtown at 7 p.m.
“I park for free. I also like the flexibility of having my car,” said Rhozine Montgomery Perez.
“$13.50? No, thanks,” said Julianne Bruce. “Six-plus gallons of gas to go 12 miles? I thought buses were supposed to save people money.”
Meanwhile, construction is ongoing to build two toll lanes going each direction in the median of Texas 288 as well as corresponding entrance and exit ramps.
The park-and-program has long been discussed by city officials and has experienced numerous delays.
In May 2018, City Council members approved the bus program with Coach USA owned-Kerrville Bus Co. for a three-year period with the option to extend, if necessary. Branson said the agreement is for the city to provide the parking area and the company to pay the cost of buses and drivers.
Buses traveling from the Shadow Creek lot to the medical center will shuttle commuters from 5:35 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Buses coming back from the Texas Medical Center will leave from 4:20 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.
Buses traveling from Shadow Creek Ranch to downtown Houston will begin to shuttle commuters at 5:35 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. Buses returning from downtown will depart from 3:55 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information about ticket options and fares, bus schedules, stop locations and parking, visit the Coach USA website
