Increase number of RTA passenger boardings to 1 million by FY 2025
Objective Description
Trend Analysis
RTA ridership declined drastically between 2019 and 2021 due to Covid-19 related public health travel restrictions and service reductions. Despite the continuing pandemic, services and ridership are returning to RTA. The RTA has restored the vast majority of service and is planning additional service modifications and expansions for implementation in Spring 2023 that should result in further increased ridership, however the industry continues to face supply and staffing issues that are impacting both service and bus delivery. Additionally, the County continues to invest in the bus fleet with the purchase of 11 transit buses, 9 light-duty buses, as well as investments in bus stop accessibility and amenity improvements, ,automated passenger counters and automated bus stop annunciators. These improvements will further increase the reliability, convenience and comfort of our transit service.
Strategies
- Implement the Consolidated Transit Plan's recommendations.
- Expand and adjust transit routes to improve service, efficiency and effectiveness.
- Incorporate transit-related recommendations into review comments on development applications.
- Improve the reliability of Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) service by adding new buses to the
fleet and maintaining older vehicles.
- Upgrade bus stop facilities, including shelters and sidewalk connections.
- Work with Howard County Public Schools to increase usage by public high school students living near and going to schools located on existing or previously planned route.
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Source: Office of Transportation