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 Strong Leadership Allows Xpress Service to Continue Keeping Your Commute Safe Xpress Riders Featured on Billboards 1st quarter 2013 ridership Spring 2013 Volume 2 No. 2 404-463-3000 Strong Leadership Allows Xpress Service to Continue Dear Friends of Xpress: This week, Governor Deal signed the State's Fiscal Year 2014 budget, which includes more than $8 million of funds to keep Xpress running for another year. A special thanks to Governor Deal and the General Assembly, for affirming their commitment to Xpress during this year's Legislative Session. GRTA, Xpress riders, and commuters on metro Atlanta's interstates are grateful to the Governor for his leadership; and we appreciate the Lt. Governor, Speaker, and members of the Georgia General Assembly for their willingness to keep this important service running, especially in a time when state funds are limited. Their support for Xpress is yet another demonstration that our state leaders are actively seeking and providing solutions to address Georgia's transportation needs. At GRTA, we renew our commitment to being responsible stewards of the state's resources. We strive to operate Xpress in a manner that supports the Governor's goals of making Georgia a more mobile and prosperous state by serving as an effective piece of the state's transportation strategy. It will be our goal to ensure that Xpress continues to provide quality service to customers, to enhance Georgia's economic competitiveness and to provide a positive return on the taxpayers' investment. Jannine Miller Executive Director Xpress Riders Featured on Metro Atlanta Billboards As part of the awareness campaign surrounding the new Georgia Commute Options program, the Clean Air Campaign featured two different Xpress customers who recently enrolled in the new commuter incentives programs. Georgia Commute Options led by the Georgia Department of Transportation, in collaboration with GRTA, the Clean Air Campaign and other transportation partners is a partnership program offering a one -stop-shop for commute options from Xpress, MARTA and other local transit services, along with carpooling and vanpooling information and sign-up. Did You Know? Did you know that you play a vital role in keeping your commute safe? If you See Something suspicious on your commute, Say Something to your coach operator or call our customer service line at 404-463-4782. Unattended Packages: If you see a bag or package on its own, notify the coach operator or call customer service. Smoke, Odd Smells, Suspicious Activities: If you see smoke, notice an odd or unusual odor, or see something suspicious on the coach or at the park-and-ride, tell a coach operator or call customer service. Report a Crime: If you are a victim of or witness a crime, call 911 immediately. And remember...If You See Something, Say Something INSIDE Xpress Spring 2013 1st Quarter YTD 2013 2012 Boardings 574,017 612,147 Cherokee Routes: 490, 491 Clayton Routes: 440, 441, 442 Cobb 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 25,666 67,330 64,373 26,976 48,395 43,983 27,012 16,969 122,992 83,626 31,938 76,040 26,013 74,655 66,279 29,510 51,015 47,074 26,518 16,347 132,143 91,797 32,736 80,267 YTD 2013 574,017 25,666 67,330 64,373 26,976 48,395 43,983 27,012 16,969 122,992 83,626 31,938 76,040 Xpress Ridership Climbs in 1st Quarter In the 1st quarter of 2013 there were almost 42,000 additional Xpress bus boardings when compared to the previous quarter. This 7.8% increase in ridership is consistent with ridership trends found in previous years and is largely due to passengers resuming normal work patterns as the holiday season closed. Overall Xpress ridership is slightly down when comparing 2013's year-to-date boardings to 2012's boardings over the same time period. Last year's changes in alignments on many of our downtown routes as well as fare adjustments on a couple of routes in the I-85 North Corridor are believed to have had an impact on ridership. GRTA is optimistic that over time, the impact of the changes will be diminished and that ridership will continue to grow at a steady pace. 700,000 650,000 600,000 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Xpress Boardings by Calendar Quarter 2009--2013 550,000 500,000 450,000 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1