Lawrence
Transit System

City and KU increase coordination, expand options in the community

A new agreement between the City of Lawrence and the University of Kansas allows easier access to both bus systems. Effective Aug. 18, 2008, KU students, faculty and staff can ride the T fixed-route service free by showing a valid KU ID.* Conversely, riders who show a valid Lawrence Transit System bus pass or transfer slip can ride the university fixed-route buses for free. Information about KU on Wheels is available here. Services excluded from the agreement are T Lift, JayLift, SafeBus, and SafeRide transportation services.

*The university has a new KU Card this year, and starting Oct. 1, 2008, KU students, faculty and staff will need to show the new KU Card to ride T buses free. Until then, drivers will accept the current KU Card.

Transit ridership grows 8 percent in July

Ridership on the T increased 8.3 percent for the month of July. Last month, the fixed-route system provided 33,292 rides, compared to 30,751 in July 2007.

A year ago, the transit system began the first of a two-part fare increase, raising the cost of a ride from $.50 to $1.00. Ridership began to decline after the increases, as projected by staff, but revenues went up. From January through July 2008, farebox and pass sales have increased 54 percent over the same period last year. Year to date ridership for January to July 2007 is 237,754 and for January to July 2008 is 218,424.

Transit commute benefit programs help employers and employees save money

There are several ways to save on commuting costs—purchasing a monthly bus pass to ride the T to work, joining Carpool Connection for commuters heading out of town, and even through tax savings. Federal law lets workers receive up to $115 a month in employer-paid tax-free transit costs, or take up to $115 a month in tax-sheltered payroll deductions for transit costs. Find out more by visiting the American Public Transportation Association or viewing the IRS Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits (PDF). For employers interested in establishing a transit commute benefit program, contact the Lawrence Transit System at (785) 832-3465.

Calculate the cost of driving your car

How much do you pay to drive? Punch your numbers into our Cost of Driving Calculator to estimate your monthly and annual cost of driving to and from work. Check out the T route map or Carpool Connection link to see if public transportation or carpooling is an option.