[E-updates] Third quarter numbers reveal "T" ridership increase

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE	City of Lawrence, Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2004

Contact:   Karin Rexroad, Public Transit Administrator, (785) 832-3464

Third quarter numbers reveal "T" ridership increase

(Lawrence, KS) - The Lawrence Transit System's third quarter findings reveal
"T" fixed route ridership has increased by 19.3 percent compared to the 2003
third quarter.  The overall "T" fixed route system has seen a 21 percent
increase in ridership for the first three quarters as compared to last year.


The expansion in ridership is met with an increase in reduced fare riders.
The "T" fixed route offers reduced fare to individuals which qualify as a
special patron.  Special patron qualifications are Medicare card carriers,
persons with disabilities, seniors (60+ yrs.), and as of August 2004
students K -12 and Haskell Indian Nations University students.  Reduced fare
ridership for the third quarter reflected a 43 percent increase compared to
the previous year.  The overall reduced fare ridership on the "T" fixed
route system has increased by 26 percent for the first three quarters of the
2004. 

"It's good to see that overall ridership is going up and that the special
patron reduced fare is getting more Lawrence citizens on the "T"" said Karin
Rexroad, public transit administrator for Lawrence Transit System.  Rexroad
states "Reduced fare riders have increased by 63.8 percent since expanding
the special patron reduced fare category in August".

The Lawrence Transit System travels throughout the community to businesses,
educational institutions and employment areas.  For assistance with trip
planning call 312-7054 or visit www.lawrencetransit.org to see a route map
and timetable.

-END-

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