Lawrence public transportation is picking up speed.

Ridership for the Lawrence Transit System, which began in December 2000, increased from 575 riders a day at the end of 2001 to 800 at the end of 2002.

“It shows that interest in the system and ability to use the system has been increasing,” said Karin Rexroad, public transit administrator.

Even routes that were struggling after the first year have found riders, thanks to increased awareness and a few adjustments, Rexroad said. Route 5 (27th and Wakarusa/Kansas Highway 10 and Industrial Park), which had about half the riders other routes had at the beginning of the first year, had 35,506 for 2002, she said.

“With the route changes that we implemented, Route 5 has become a very solid and busy route for us,” said Rexroad, who oversees a $2.5 million budget for the transit system.

Teaching people where to get on the bus has been a major concern. In the first two years of operation, some bus stop locations were not exact. Getting on the bus was largely a flag-down situation.

The T has established 16 permanent stops with shelters, which were installed last summer. Rexroad said 17 additional sites were being considered for shelters, and more sites have been chosen for bus stop signs to clarify route locations and timing points.

Passenger Eunice Ebert-Stallworth switches buses at Ninth and Massachusetts streets. Ridership for the Lawrence Transit System, which began in December 2000, continues to increase.

“It’ll probably take another year or so before we phase out of the flag-down,” Rexroad said.

For the rest of the year, Rexroad said the T would focus on promoting the system to local businesses and schools for field trips and other events.

“We’ve moved beyond the people who have to have transportation,” Rexroad said. “Now we’re looking at riders of choice, don’t-need-a-second-car type riders.”

When the T began Dec. 16, 2000, creating a pass that would combine KU on Wheels accessibility and the T was considered. Rexroad said there were no plans to do so at this point. She said they were still concerned with coordination with KU on Wheels and providing students service when KU on Wheels was not operating.