What Hill Country Transit District does

Hill Country Transit District (HCTD) is a Texas public transit district operating under the consumer brand "The HOP," founded in 1988 and headquartered in Belton, Texas. HCTD delivers regional public transportation across four counties (Bell, Coryell, Milam, and the City of Lampasas) and eight cities (Belton, Cameron, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Rockdale, and Temple), with service anchored by two federally designated Urbanized Areas — Killeen UZA and Temple UZA — plus an exclusive on-base operation at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood). The district is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from each county and the cities of Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Killeen, and Temple.

HCTD operates four core service lines: Microtransit (on-demand van rides within city zones), Urban Regional Commuter (fixed-schedule walk-on service between cities via Mobility Hubs), Cavazos Connector (free on-base microtransit for military ID-holders at Fort Cavazos), and Rural Demand Response (curb-to-curb trips within and between counties). The technology backbone is built on the Spare Labs platform, which powers both the iOS/Android rider app and the web-based booking portal; Uber is integrated as an overflow dispatch partner during high-demand periods. Supporting offerings include fare media (monthly passes at $50, weekly at $20, day passes at $4, multi-ride tickets, and tokens), a vehicle advertising program managed by Fuel Media, and travel training services for individuals and organizations.

HCTD's business model blends farebox revenue, advertising, and — most significantly — government funding. Fares are structured as $2.00 microtransit base fares ($1.00 reduced for seniors, students, disabled, military, and Medicare-eligible) and $4.00 rural demand response fares, with daily/weekly/monthly fare caps to protect riders. However, the majority of operating revenue flows from Federal Transit Administration grants, Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Fund disbursements, and local cash and in-kind contributions from member cities and counties. The organization complies with ADA, Title VI, EEO, and DBE federal regulatory frameworks, and in April 2026 received the USArmy Community Partnership Award for its Cavazos Connector service.

Name

Hill Country Transit District

Legal name

Hill Country Transit District

Website

https://takethehop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hill Country Transit District operates "The HOP," a regional public transit system serving eight cities across Bell, Coryell, Milam, and Lampasas counties in Central Texas, plus Fort Cavazos. It delivers microtransit, commuter, and rural demand-response services funded by federal/state grants and fares.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Municipal/Transit-Agency Microtransit (First/Last-Mile Feeders) (TLAFAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Last-Mile On-Demand Feeder to Transit (First/Last-Mile Providers) (THAIAGAJ)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Microtransit operations
• Demand response transit
• ADA paratransit services
• Regional commuter transit

Headquarters

HQ city

Belton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Transit Fares: The HOP generates revenue through transit fares including microtransit base fares of $2.00, reduced fares of $1.00 for eligible riders, day passes, weekly passes, monthly passes at $50, multi-ride tickets, and tokens. Demand Response service has a $4.00 base fare. Urban Regional Commuter fares range from $2.00 to $4.00 depending on zones traveled.
2. Vehicle Advertising: Third-party businesses can advertise on the exterior of The HOP's fleet vehicles through Fuel Media partnership, providing additional non-fare revenue.
3. Federal, State, and Local Government Funding: Financial support comes from Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Fund, cash contributions from Hill Country Transit District, and in-kind match by local governments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hill Country Transit District operates "The HOP," a regional public transit system providing on-demand microtransit within eight Central Texas cities, a fixed-schedule Urban Regional Commuter service connecting cities via Mobility Hubs, free curb-to-curb microtransit on Fort Cavazos (Cavazos Connector), and rural demand-response service across Bell, Coryell, Milam, and Lampasas counties. Services are booked through a mobile app, an online booking portal, or a phone agent, with ADA-accessible vehicles, fare capping, and discounted fares for eligible riders.

Product overview

The HOP is a regional public transit system operated by Hill Country Transit District (HCTD), serving the counties of Coryell, Bell, and Milam, and the city of Lampasas in Central Texas. The system consists of four core service offerings: Microtransit Service (on-demand van rides within city zones across Belton, Cameron, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Rockdale, and Temple); Urban Regional Commuter (fixed-schedule walk-on bus service connecting Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton, and Temple via mobility hubs); Cavazos Connector (free on-demand microtransit on Fort Cavazos military installation); and Rural Demand Response (curb-to-curb on-demand van service within and between counties). These core services are supported by a technology platform consisting of The HOP Rider App (powered by Spare Labs, available on iOS and Android) and an Online Booking Tool, through which riders book trips, purchase e-tickets, and activate passes. Supporting products include Fare Media (physical monthly passes, weekly passes, day passes, tokens, and multi-ride tickets), the Vehicle Advertising Program, and Travel Training sessions for individuals and groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cavazos Connector: Free microtransit service operating on Fort Hood (Fort Cavazos), providing on-demand transportation within the military installation for anyone with a military ID card or visitors pass.
• Urban Regional Commuter
• Rural Demand Response

Products and services

• Microtransit Service Flexible on-demand transit service using large vans to provide rides within designated city zones; riders book trips via the HOP mobile app, online portal, or phone, scheduled same-day or up to 14 days in advance based on real-time demand.
• Urban Regional Commuter Fixed-schedule, walk-on commuter service operating on a fixed route between Copperas Cove and Temple, with stops at Mobility Hubs in Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton, and Temple; no advance booking required.
• Cavazos Connector Free on-demand microtransit service operating on Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) military installation, providing curb-to-curb transportation within designated on-base zones for anyone with a military ID card or visitor's pass.
• Rural Demand Response On-demand curb-to-curb transportation service using large vans to provide rides within the same county and from county to county to approved cross-county destinations; operates Monday through Friday with advance booking available up to 14 days.
• Online Booking Tool Web-based alternative to the mobile app, allowing riders to book microtransit and demand-response trips from a desktop browser; powered by Spare Labs platform.
• Vehicle Advertising Program Program enabling businesses to advertise on the exterior of The HOP's transit fleet; managed through Fuel Media (855.552.3624, [email protected]).
• Travel Training In-depth training curriculum and hands-on sessions designed to educate riders and organizations on how to use The HOP's services confidently, offered to individuals (one-on-one with agents) and groups (tailored sessions for businesses, schools, or organizations).

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 4 counties (Bell, Coryell, Milam) and City of Lampasas with 8 microtransit zones
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USArmy / Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The HOP operates the Cavazos Connector microtransit service on Fort Cavazos military installation, providing free transportation for anyone with military ID or visitor's pass. This partnership provides on-base transportation connecting barracks areas, main cantonment area, West Fort Hood, family housing areas, and the Visitor Center. Received USArmy Community Partnership Award for this service in April 2026.
• Fuel MediaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFuel Media handles vehicle advertising for The HOP fleet. Businesses can contact Fuel Media (855.552.3624, [email protected]) to advertise on the exterior of The HOP's vehicles.
• Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization (KTMPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCTD staff participate in the Technical Committee of KTMPO, which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Killeen-Temple region. This ensures coordination in regional transportation planning.
• Central Texas Regional Transportation Advisory Group (CTRTAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCTD participates in CTRTAG, which supports coordination among human service providers in the region for transportation services.
• City of KilleencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCTD works closely with the City of Killeen through regular meetings with the Killeen City Council's Transportation Committee to coordinate transit services.
• SparecoreTechnology or IntegrationSpare provides the technology platform for The HOP's microtransit operations, including the rider app and operational management system.
• Partner Cities (Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Killeen, Belton, Gatesville, Temple, Cameron, Rockdale)coreOthersThe HOP maintains event partnership pages linking to all partner city event calendars. These cities host The HOP's microtransit zones and Mobility Hubs for the Urban Regional Commuter service.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Uber: Global ride-hailing platform already integrated with The HOP for overflow capacity. Comparable as an on-demand passenger mobility provider competing for the same urban riders in Killeen, Temple, and Belton, with potential to expand autonomous-vehicle deployment into the same service territory.
• Lyft: Major ride-hailing platform operating in Texas markets including Killeen and Temple. Comparable as an on-demand passenger mobility alternative competing for non-commuter urban trips that HCTD's microtransit service targets.

Direct peers

• VIA Metropolitan Transit: San Antonio public transit agency operating VIA Link microtransit service in zones across the metro. Direct peer as another large Texas transit authority with on-demand microtransit deployed alongside fixed-route bus service.
• Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA): North Texas transit authority operating GoZone microtransit service via spares/ride-sharing in Denton County. Closely comparable in scale and operating model as a regional transit authority providing on-demand microtransit in mid-sized Texas markets.
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): North Texas transit agency operating GoLink on-demand microtransit in zones. Comparable as a regional transit authority offering multi-modal service (fixed route + microtransit) serving multiple cities and counties in Texas.
• CapMetro (Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority): Austin, TX public transit agency operating Pickup, an on-demand microtransit service in low-density Austin neighborhoods using the same Spare Labs platform. Most direct comparable given Texas public transit agency structure, microtransit focus, and shared technology vendor.
• Arlington, TX (via Via): City of Arlington partnered with Via to operate citywide on-demand microtransit as the primary public transit model. Highly comparable as a Texas municipality that replaced fixed-route transit with microtransit-style on-demand service.

Others

• Spare Labs: Microtransit operations platform provider powering The HOP's rider app and booking system. Indirect peer as the underlying technology vendor; useful for understanding the shared platform economics that drive HCTD's operating model.
• Via Transportation: Demand-responsive transit technology and operations provider serving public transit agencies globally. Indirect peer as the technology layer that powers comparable microtransit services; relevant for benchmarking operational efficiency and platform capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• METRO Houston (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County): Large Houston-area public transit agency operating multiple service modes including METRO curb2curb on-demand zones. Comparable as a Texas public transit provider with demand-responsive services alongside larger fixed-route operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/takethehop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hill-country-transit-district

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hill Country Transit District