Conroe Connection Shows that Driving Force is Made Here

Conroe’s steady growth has been met with strategic decisions to deliver opportunity for the increasing number of residents, visitors, and businesses. Improvements to mobility, including expanding Conroe public transit, is driving commerce and connectivity throughout the city. Safe, reliable, and convenient transit added to new transportation infrastructure in Conroe helps explain why Driving Force is Made Here.

In an effort to improve mobility, the City of Conroe debuted its public transit resource, Conroe Connection, in January 2015. With two routes, the goal was to get individuals to and from essential services. In the eight years since, which coincides with Conroe’s rapid growth, routes, and ridership has expanded. Conroe Connection now covers more than 30 square miles of Conroe and includes stops at many of Conroe’s busiest locations. 

Conroe also partners with Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) and Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to offer a commuter service to and from Houston during the workweek. This convenient transportation option has become increasingly important for people who work in Houston but seek the lifestyle amenities offered in Conroe.

De’Andre Guin, Mobility Planner for the City of Conroe, explains that the department is constantly monitoring ways to stay ahead of growth.

“Transit is essential to meeting Conroe’s growth. We want to continue to be a step ahead instead of playing catch up,” said Guin.

Conroe transit serves as a driving force for residents and local businesses. Teaming up with the Conroe Economic Development Council and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, Conroe Connection offers a FREE shuttle service to take job seekers to and from the 11th Annual Conroe Job Fair, which will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lone Star Convention Center on January 24.

This critical service is key in delivering talent to Conroe businesses. Shuttles will originate from Booker T. Washington Park on S. First Street and run from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (an hour before the Conroe Job Fair until an hour after).

“It’s an extremely important service for job seekers and recruiting businesses. Those individuals who are transit dependent may not have any other means to get to the job fair,” added Guin.

Along with driving mobility, talent, and opportunity, Conroe Connection is helping drive commerce in downtown Conroe. Launched just after Thanksgiving in 2022, the Downtown Circulator offers patrons a safe and efficient way to explore all that the city’s hub has to offer.

Conroe’s Transit department worked closely with Visit Conroe Director Shannon Overby and former Downtown Manager Frank Robinson to design a service that positively impacted all stakeholders. The shuttle operates every ten minutes on Friday and Saturday from 6:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., making seven stops in Downtown near at least 15 points of interest.

“The idea is to alleviate congestion and give opportunities for more people to visit downtown Conroe,” offered Guin. “The Downtown Circulator provides safe travel for patrons to and from downtown destinations.”

Guin explained that the department is looking at additional opportunities to grow mobility in Conroe. They are considering routes to the Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center which is scheduled to open in 2023. Additionally, the department is exploring the on-demand transit concept, similar to Uber or Lyft, to reduce wait times for riders.

Collaborating with stakeholders remains important for mobility in Conroe.

“We’re working with other agencies in the region, like METRO and H-GAC, to see how the future of transit will look for all of us, but especially here in Conroe because it’s growing so rapidly,” said Guin.

Mobility is essential for any major city, and Conroe’s commitment to transportation is critical to sustaining growth. From commerce to access to talent, Conroe Connection is driving results today and steering Conroe's citizens into tomorrow proving why Driving Force is Made Here!