The Soda Cap Connector, Cola’s new [free-for-now] downtown bus service – which has 4 COMET buses running 2 routes through the Vista, Five Points + Benedict College/Allen University area Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. – is already 2 months into the 6-month (free) trial period (that started Sept. 1), but not many people are riding it.t

Why not? Aside from lack of awareness, transit leaders believe there’s a negative connotation associated with using public transportation – a mindset Soda Citizens need to look beyond.

In the first month, 1,800+ people rode the buses (mostly during lunchtime, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) – but that only averages out to ~3 riders per bus, per hour. Last week, a bus driver estimated her bus gets only ~15-20 riders per day. The goal for the buses (which cost $75 per hour to operate) was to have 10-15 riders per bus, per hour – a.k.a. ~80-120 riders per day.

COMET is working with different downtown organizations to help spread the word of the free service; hoping the number of riders will grow with increased awareness. They’re also considering making adjustments – like changing the operating times – to better suit riders.

4 min read / The State