Hill Country Transit District


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 nine cities, four bus routes connecting the cities 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, contract revenue from Medicaid, 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, Lampasas, Salado, and Temple. Trips cost $4 and can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance, but they must stop and end in the same city.

Regional Commuter bus

The HOP operates four Regional Commuter routes, which operate on weekdays on a fixed schedule. Routes are subdivided into Urban and Rural routes; Urban routes cost $2 per ride, while Rural routes cost $6 per ride.
RouteRoute descriptionOther served locations
UrbanCopperas Cove to Temple along I-14/I-35
Coryell RuralGatesville to Temple along SH 36
Lampasas RuralLampasas to Copperas Cove along US 190
Milam RuralCameron to Temple along US 190
  • Buckholts
  • Rogers
  • Cavazos Connector

    Cavazos Connector service consists of a circulator route and a microtransit service. The circulator route serves three stops: the Copeland Soldier Service Center, Carl R. Darnall Hospital, and the Fort Cavazos Visitor Center. 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, the Concho Valley Transit District, and the 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 NameCities ServedDiscontinued date
    1Killeen Zephyr RoadKilleenModified 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.
    3Killeen Lake RoadKilleenMerged 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.
    6Killeen / Florence RoadKilleenMerged with Route 5 in November 2008.
    7Killeen Scott & White Clinic / MallKilleenDiscontinued on November 1, 2005.
    7Robinett Rd. / Texas A&M South/ Airport / Metroplex HospitalKilleenDiscontinued on September 1, 2017.
    8Killeen Downtown / NorthwestKilleenDiscontinued on November 1, 2005.
    11Killeen Zephyr Road / Veterans Memorial BlvdKilleenDiscontinued on May 1, 2006.
    20Killeen Westcliff / Industrial Park KilleenDiscontinued on November 1, 2005.
    21Veterans Memorial Blvd. / W.S. Young Dr. / Killeen Civic Center / KPDKilleenDiscontinued on September 1, 2017.
    30Killeen Ellison High School / Harker HeightsKilleenMerged with Route 4 on May 1, 2006.
    30H-E-B / Stan Schlueter Loop / Lions Club / Harker Heights Wal-MartKilleenDiscontinued September 1, 2017.
    35Harker Heights LoopHarker HeightsReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.
    40Fort Hood / Darnall HospitalKilleenDiscontinued on January 1, 2004.
    60Copperas Cove Civic CenterCopperas CoveCombined with Routes 70 and 75 into Route 65 in late 2005.
    65Copperas Cove LoopCopperas CoveReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.
    70Copperas Cove Civic CenterCopperas CoveCombined with Routes 60 and 75 into Route 65 in late 2005.
    75Copperas Cove HEB / WalMartCopperas CoveCombined with Routes 60 and 70 into Route 65 in late 2005.
    100Metroplex / CTC / Copperas CoveKilleen
    Copperas Cove
    Replaced with microtransit in September 2024.
    200Nolanville ShuttleNolanvilleDiscontinued on January 1, 2004.
    200Harker Heights / Nolanville / Belton / Temple ConnectorKilleen
    Harker Heights
    Nolanville
    Belton
    Temple
    Replaced with microtransit in September 2024.
    300The ConnectorDiscontinued on November 1, 2005.
    510VA Hospital / Temple College / Temple Mall / WalmartTempleReplaced with microtransit in September 2024.
    520Scott & White Hospital / King's Daughters Clinic / Sam's ClubTempleDiscontinued 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.