The Hill Country Transit District, branded as The HOP, is a public transit operator serving the Killeen–Temple metropolitan area. The HOP operates microtransit services in five urban cities, three rural cities, a commuter bus route connecting Belton, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Temple, and rural demand-response service in three counties. The district also operates transit service within Fort Hood under the name Cavazos Connector.
The district is governed by a board of directors with a representative of each county and major city served and is a member of the Killeen Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization. Funding for the district comes from transit fares, the Federal Transit Administration, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and contributions from the counties and cities served.
Services
Microtransit The HOP operates microtransit services in nine cities: Belton, Cameron, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Rockdale, and Temple. Trips cost $2 and can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance, but they must stop and end in the same city. For trips that utilize the Connector Route to commute between cities, the fare is $4.
Regional Commuter bus The HOP operates a Regional Commuter route between the five urban cities, which operates on weekdays on a fixed schedule.Rides cost $2 per ride (in addition to any Microtransit fares incurred).
Cavazos Connector Cavazos Connector service consists of a dedicated microtransit service. Microtransit services the fort's barracks, cantonments, and family housing areas. Unlike most of The HOP's services, Cavazos Connector services operate seven days a week and are free.
Rural Demand-Response The HOP operates demand-response service in Coryell County, Milam County, and non-urban portions of Bell County. Trips cost $4 and can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance, but they must stop and end in the same county.
The HOP previously operated Rural Demand-Response services in Hamilton County, Llano County, Mason County, Mills County, and San Saba County. On March 1, 2025, service in these counties was transferred to the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (Llano), the Concho Valley Transit District (Mason), and the Central Texas Rural Transit District (Hamilton/Mills/San Saba). On March 1st, 2026, service in Lampasas County was transferred to Central Texas Rural Transit District.
Former bus routes The HOP previously operated local fixed-route bus services, which were replaced with microtransit in September 2024. Route # Route Name Cities Served Discontinued date 1 Killeen Zephyr Road Killeen Modified along Veterans Memorial Blvd and renumbered Route 11 on November 1, 2005.2Texas A&M North / Lake Rd. / Rancier Ave.KilleenReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 3 Killeen Lake Road Killeen Merged with Route 2 in November 2008.4Killeen Mall / Walmart / Scott & White ClinicKilleenReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.5H-E-B / DPS - KilleenKilleenReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 6 Killeen / Florence Road Killeen Merged with Route 5 in November 2008. 7 Killeen Scott & White Clinic / Mall Killeen Discontinued on November 1, 2005. 7 Robinett Rd. / Texas A&M South/ Airport / Metroplex Hospital Killeen Discontinued on September 1, 2017. 8 Killeen Downtown / Northwest Killeen Discontinued on November 1, 2005. 11 Killeen Zephyr Road / Veterans Memorial Blvd Killeen Discontinued on May 1, 2006. 20 Killeen Westcliff / Industrial Park (via Business 190) Killeen Discontinued on November 1, 2005. 21 Veterans Memorial Blvd. / W.S. Young Dr. / Killeen Civic Center / KPD Killeen Discontinued on September 1, 2017. 30 Killeen Ellison High School / Harker Heights Killeen Merged with Route 4 on May 1, 2006. 30 H-E-B / Stan Schlueter Loop / Lions Club / Harker Heights Wal-Mart Killeen Discontinued September 1, 2017.35Harker Heights LoopHarker HeightsReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 40 Fort Hood / Darnall Hospital Killeen Discontinued on January 1, 2004. 60 Copperas Cove Civic Center Copperas Cove Combined with Routes 70 and 75 into Route 65 in late 2005.65Copperas Cove LoopCopperas CoveReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 70 Copperas Cove Civic Center Copperas Cove Combined with Routes 60 and 75 into Route 65 in late 2005. 75 Copperas Cove HEB / WalMart Copperas Cove Combined with Routes 60 and 70 into Route 65 in late 2005.100Metroplex / CTC / Copperas CoveKilleenCopperas CoveReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 200 Nolanville Shuttle Nolanville Discontinued on January 1, 2004.200Harker Heights / Nolanville / Belton / Temple ConnectorKilleenHarker HeightsNolanvilleBeltonTempleReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 300 The Connector Discontinued on November 1, 2005.510VA Hospital / Temple College / Temple Mall / WalmartTempleReplaced with microtransit in September 2024. 520 Scott & White Hospital / King's Daughters Clinic / Sam's Club Temple Discontinued in late 2016.530Adams Ave / Temple HS / Social Security OfficeTempleReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.550Silver Line Flex RouteKilleenReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.610BeltonBeltonReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.
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