Fla.’s Gainesville RTS sets daily ridership record

Gainesville, Fla.’s Regional Transit System (RTS) set its single day ridership record for the third consecutive year, with the highest ridership since its inception in 1974.

On August 22, RTS set a new single-day ridership record of 63,394 passengers, surpassing the previous record of 61,233, set in August 2011. On August 29, RTS blew past that record with a total ridership of 64,835 or 1,441 more passengers than the previous Wednesday. Typically, Wednesdays have the highest ridership of any day during the week and the second Wednesday of Fall service is the busiest day of the year.

“For the last three years we have been setting numerous ridership records,” said Jesus Gomez, transit director. “Through our expanded service, adjustments to routes and community support, we foresee this trend continuing.”

In 2011, RTS moved over ten million passengers during the year, which has kept the transit agency ranked as the top agency in the state of Florida when comparing ridership to population. These records could not be attained without the support of the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, the Florida Department of Transportation, the community at large, and County and City elected officials.