Inside Xpress [Vol. 2, no. 1 (Winter 2013)]

www.XpressGA.com customerservice@XpressGA.com

INSIDE XPRESS
A publication of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303

C O N T E N T S

Xpress: A Smart Investment for Georgia New Xpress website launched Georgia Commute Options 4th quarter 2012 ridership

Winter 2013
Volume 2 No. 1 404-463-3000

Xpress: A Smart Investment For Georgia

Dear Friends of Xpress:
As Xpress begins its ninth year of operation, we at GRTA renew our commitment to providing a cost-effective, well-managed service that satisfies the travel demands of metro Atlanta's commuters. With nearly 2.4 million boardings in 2012, we remain confident that Xpress is a smart investment that's paying off for Georgia's workers and businesses.
I am pleased to report that Governor Nathan Deal has included funding for continued Xpress operations in the budget recommendations he recently submitted to the state legislature for its consideration as part of creating the state's annual budget. With the state budget being as lean as it is, we are very grateful to Governor Deal for his willingness to continue to invest in Xpress.
Meanwhile, our ridership continues to grow and we have unveiled a new, more attractive Xpress website designed to make it easier for current and potential customers to take advantage of the great commute alternative we have in Xpress.
Thank you for your support, as we look forward to another great year of "commuting made easy"!
Jannine Miller Executive Director
Xpress Launches New Website
If you haven't visited www.XpressGA.com in awhile, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Visitors to the site will find a new & improved Xpress website that is sharp and easier to navigate. Important rider information is easily accessible on the homepage and our route pages are packed with valuable information.

New One-Stop Shop for Commute Alternatives
Georgia commuters now have a one-stop shop on the Internet to learn about alternatives to driving alone for their workday commute.
Led by the Georgia Department of Transportation, in collaboration with GRTA, the Clean Air Campaign and other transportation partners, the Georgia Commute Options program offers a central source for commute options from Xpress, MARTA and other local transit services, along with carpooling and vanpooling information and sign-up.
In addition, you can sign up for special rewards programs from the Clean Air Campaign to add even more benefits to your commute.
Check out the services available at www.gacommuteoptions.com or by calling 1-877-9GA-OPTIONS.

INSIDE XPRESS

Winter 2013

Boardings
Cherokee
Routes: 490, 491
Clayton
Routes: 440, 441, 442
Cobb

4th Quarter
2012 2011

2012

532,070 2,299,098 2,315,116

22,587 92,930 98,384

64,340 286,708 282,017

Route: 470, 475, 477, 480, 481
Coweta
Routes 450, 451
DeKalb
Routes 422, 423, 428
Douglas
Routes 460, 461-462
Forsyth
Routes: 400, 408
Fulton
Route 455, 408
Gwinnett
Routes: 410, 411, 412, 413, 416, 418, 424
Henry
Routes: 430, 431, 432,
Paulding
Routes: 470, 477
Rockdale
Routes 420, 421, 423, 425

57,135 25,499 54,837 40,808 24,665 16,301 99,517 78,452 28,777 80,479

281,443 251,346 109,155 110,398 237,537 232,025 181,917 176,035 106,977 102,007 78,974 66,535 438,345 493,327 342,917 345,997 134,079 123,740 347,766 348,074

Xpress 2012 Ridership Above 2011 Levels
Overall Xpress ridership was up slightly in 2012, with approximately 16,000 more boardings on Xpress coaches than in 2011.
Fourth quarter ridership was down from the 3rd quarter, which is typical as workers take time off during the holidays to spend with family. Ridership also tracked Atlanta's up and down gas prices, with peaks in the spring and fall correlating to gasoline prices rising to nearly $4/gallon.
While the price of gasoline is not a direct cause of Xpress ridership, it is clear the value of the affordable Xpress commute becomes apparent to more and more as the price of driving alone increases.
Public Comment Requested on GRTA's Title VI Program
Every three years GRTA is required to revise its Title VI Civil Rights program, including its service standards and public outreach program, for submission to the Federal Transit Administration. The formal public comment period on those revisions will begin in March. Watch the Xpress website at www.XpressGa.com for more information.

700,000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Xpress Boardings by Calendar Quarter
650,000

2008--2012

600,000

550,000

500,000

450,000
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
400,000