Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT) has announced that its Howard Transit bus system surpassed one million riders in the fiscal year ending June 30.
“This is quite an accomplishment and we are very proud” said Jim Perez, CEO of Central Maryland Regional Transit. “It’s the first time that we have had over a million riders in one year in the history of Howard Transit”.
The ridership numbers mark a fifteen percent (15 percent) increase in total ridership throughout the Howard Transit system over the past two years. The causes for that increase are numerous but Perez notes that better on-time performance is a big factor. “We have seen major advances in on-time performance throughout the Howard Transit System. We know that there is plenty of room for improvement, but we are heading in the right direction.”
Perez also sees changes in customer attitudes driving people to the bus. “Central Maryland is growing and its road infrastructure can only handle so many single occupant vehicles” he said. “As traffic increases people search for alternatives. If there is a safe and reliable transit option available, people will use it.”
