LTD Rhody Express Ridership Doubles In Six Months
Ridership on the Rhody Express in Florence increased by 114% in the second half of 2024. From July 2023 through December 2023, the Lane Transit District (LTD) service provided a total of 3,136 rides. During the same six month period in 2024, the number of rides more than doubled to 6,719.
In June 2024, LTD increased Rhody Express service from one-hour to 30-minute frequency. The route travels a north and south loop around the Florence area, serving locations such as Three Rivers Casino, Peace Harbor Hospital, and the Siuslaw Public Library.
“Providing more access to the Rhody Express is resulting in more usage. We’re seeing more rides being taken, which is a win for public transportation,” said Jameson Auten, LTD’s Chief Executive Officer. “LTD incorporated customer feedback to find the best ‘right fit’ solution for our riders in Florence. Increased ridership is an indicator of increased connection.”
LTD and its partners at Lane Council of Governments have also seen an increase in people connecting to the Rhody Express from the Link Lane Eugene-Florence Connector and Florence-Yachats Connector.
Starting in 2026, LTD and the City of Florence will collaborate on plans to develop a mobility hub in Florence that will allow transit providers (LTD, Link Lane, CCAT) to continue to improve service for riders.
Learn more about Rhody Express on LTD’s website. Service hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Traveling from the Eugene-Springfield area to Florence is easy on Link Lane, which drops riders at the same Grocery Outlet location where Rhody Express and the Florence-Yachats Connector have stops. These services make for a fun, worry-free, and car-free trip to Oregon’s central coast!