News
Increased Bus Routes Help Students Get To Class Quicker
By Nathan Crabbe
Gainesville Sun Staff writer
Changes to RTS system
Route 12: Service frequency will change to every 18 minutes from 6:20 a.m. to 6:56 a.m., every 9 minutes from 6:56 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. and every 20 minutes from 6:25 p.m. to 2:40 a.m.
Route 21: Service frequency will increase to every 20 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every 10 minutes from 7:10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Route 22: New route running Monday through Friday, every 25 minutes from 6:50 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. and from 1:55 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.
Route 29: Service reinstated, running Monday through Friday, every 30 minutes from 7:22 a.m. to 10:22 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Traffic can be a nightmare on the first day of classes at the University of Florida, but a few changes might make today’s commute easier.
Gainesville’s Regional Transit System has added two routes and expanded service on two others that go to campus. For drivers, UF has added hundreds of parking spots on campus.
“For the first time in a long time, there’s a little bit of an increase,” said Ron Fuller, assistant director of UF’s transportation and parking services.
The biggest change is a new garage opening on Gale Lemerand Drive near Mowry Road. It has 920 spaces mainly for faculty and staff, with the top two floors available for students with green decals.
Other changes include students with a Red 1 pass being able to park in a lot just south of Jennings Hall, previously reserved for faculty and staff. Hundreds of park-and-ride spaces have also been added around the new lacrosse complex, east of the Harn Museum of Art.
For bus riders, RTS created a route running between McCarty Hall and Forest Park. Service has been restored on a route between Beaty Towers and Cobblestone Apartments.
In addition, service frequency has increased on routes between McCarty and two apartment complexes: Cabana Beach and the Gateway at Gainesville.
“We’re just getting more buses in there and a greater duration so students aren’t missing their classes,” said Chip Skinner, RTS spokesman.
The expanded service is a result of a 68-cents-per-credit-hour increase in a student transportation fee. The increase is expected to raise about $346,000 in additional revenue.
Tagged: uf, rts, regional transit system, gainesville, bus routes, uf parking
