Bus rides are on the rise

VRT recorded more bus trips this summer than in the last three years after a drop due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership has been trending up since its lowest point in February of 2021.

This year, VRT recorded 23% more bus trips in June than February, and 15% more trips this quarter than the same time last year. VRT is also seeing growth in VRT OnDemand, specialized transportation, and demand response services.

Overall, ridership is approaching what it was before the pandemic – bus rides in June of this year are just 11% lower than June 2019.

Ridership growth also means an increase in fare revenue, and VRT is on pace to exceed estimates for this fiscal year. As of May 2022, fare revenues were more than 60% above budgeted amounts at the end of May.

As ridership grows and VRT adds and enhances services to better serve the public, we are committed to providing clean and safe transit service and recommend that masks are worn on all Valley Regional Transit vehicles and at facilities. Learn more at valleyregionaltransit.org/covid-19.