Katy-Fulshear area commuters will get a new $4 bus ride to downtown Houston starting Oct. 12.

Fort Bend Transit plans to launch a weekday commuter route from the Westpark Park & Ride, 19820 FM 1093, to downtown Houston, replacing the existing Westpark-to-Energy Corridor service. Covering Katy News first reported the change Sept. 23, citing an Oct. 5 start date, but the Fort Bend County website lists a proposed effective date of Monday, Oct. 12.

The Energy Corridor route drew limited ridership despite marketing efforts, according to the agency. Fort Bend Transit surveyed riders and community members to find out where they actually wanted to go.

Downtown Houston won.

"Our riders and community members told us that Downtown Houston is a destination they want better access to, and we listened," Fort Bend Transit Director Perri D'Armond said in the Sept. 23 announcement.

The proposed schedule shows two morning departures from the Westpark Park & Ride at 5:50 a.m. and 6:10 a.m. Both arrive at the last downtown stop, Franklin at Austin, about an hour later at 6:49 a.m. and 7:09 a.m.

Return trips leave downtown from Congress at Caroline at 4:45 p.m. and 5:05 p.m., reaching the park-and-ride by 5:44 p.m. and 6:04 p.m. The inbound route runs along Louisiana Street with stops at Jefferson, Clay, McKinney, Walker, Texas and Congress before reaching Franklin.

The route runs Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays. It does not run on weekends.

The route change is part of a broader round of Fort Bend Transit service adjustments that also includes proposed changes to the Texas Medical Center commuter route, according to the county website.

Fort Bend Transit also offers a Guaranteed Ride Home program, a free service that gives registered commuters a ride home during midday emergencies up to three times per year. Riders can register by calling 281-633-7433.

The county describes the downtown route change as "proposed." No public comment deadline or formal approval vote has been posted. Residents can find schedules and route details at the Fort Bend County Public Transportation page or call 281-633-RIDE.