[E-updates] "T" ridership hits high for fourth consecutive month

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE City of Lawrence, Kansas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2003

CONTACT: Karin Rexroad, transit administrator, (785) 832-3464

"T" ridership hits high for fourth consecutive month

(LAWRENCE, KS) - Riders on the Lawrence Transit System have exceeded 25,000
for fourth consecutive month.  The continuing increase in monthly ridership,
including riders from both systems, fixed route and paratransit, is a new
milestone in the system's operation. The Lawrence Transit System is on track
to reach an annual ridership of 300,000 for both services. The increase in
ridership is attributed to the fixed route system while ridership on the T
Lift, paratransit service, has remained steady.  

Ridership numbers for the last four months are;

June 2003 26,205 rides
May 2003, 25,862 rides
April 2003, 25,342 rides
March 2003, 25,700 rides

"Providing more than a quarter million fixed route rides in the year, is a
very exciting possibility when you recognize the young age of our system,"
explains Karin Rexroad, transit administrator for Lawrence Transit System.
Rexroad continues, "We know that once an individual takes the first ride on
the T, they are likely to come back and become a consistent rider.  Once
people make the effort to try the T for the first time, they find a
dependable, efficient ride that works."

Trying the bus and liking it is easy to understand when you consider the
list of benefits of public transportation.  Whether you are avoiding the
cost of purchasing a second car or avoiding operating your primary car
full-time, the savings in gas and maintenance can be substantial.  Parking
and traffic are two matters that riders don't have to consider.  Riders of
all ages are also finding the mobility, accessibility and independence a
benefit.  Independence is found in the fixed route system that travels
throughout the Lawrence community from downtown to the University of Kansas,
Haskell Indian Nations University and retail locations including south Iowa
as well as major employment areas.

Riders in the Lawrence community are motivated to ride for numerous reasons.
Transit dependent riders were the first to adopt the system during the start
up in 2001.  Riders of choice have joined the system in two folds, first
individuals with previous experience with public transportation followed by
riders interested in benefits of public transportation.  Families are also
experiencing public transportation providing an additional vehicle option
and employees are finding the constant and dependable schedule a valuable
resource.

Last summer, the "T" experienced an increase ridership that was attributed
to the addition of more youth riders and students attending summer school.
The 2003 increase in ridership has been occurring since March, demonstrating
a more consistent level of growth by all riders.  

For assistance with trip planning call 312-7054 or visit
www.lawrencetransit.org to see a route map and time table.

-END-


_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson@ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org