With awareness increasing about the city’s transit system, city transit administrator Karin Rexroad has adopted a new motto to lure more passengers.

“Let your second car be the T,” Rexroad said of the bus service’s motto. “It is a dependable, valuable service. It is easy to get where you are going on time. I think we are starting to be seen as an alternative.”

Nicole Lopez, left, and her sister Jessica, board a bus in downtown Lawrence.

Last year, T ridership increased 14 percent with several improvements added to the bus service. The city installed 17 more passenger waiting shelters and placed bus stop signs along fixed routes, making route locations and transfer points easier to identify. The T also partnered with KU on Wheels. Students were able to purchase a T sticker for an additional $20, providing access to the T for the school year. Since August, 242 passes have been sold to students.

The transit system recently hired a marketing coordinator to develop a campaign to increase ridership and create a travel training program for the T. Classes would be formed to familiarize riders with how to use the T.

“The community is not used to transit and there are some people who are scared to try it on their own,” Rexroad said.

Since The T Sticker pilot program at KU seems successful, the City Commission is asking whether it is time to offer the same type of passes for elementary, junior high and high school students. In foreground are Free State High School sophomores Nathan Towns and Brandon Saucier.

A travel training program is also planned for the T’s para-transit riders. Para-transit riders are people who are not able to access the fixed routes due to a disability and are picked up at their homes. Rexroad was looking at national models to develop the program.

Another part of the campaign to convert new riders includes developing partnerships with local events and businesses. Last year, the T’s partnership with the Sidewalk Sale was successful with 1,183 people taking advantage of free rides to and from the sidewalk sale.

This year, Rexroad hopes children will use the service to ride to and from the public pool and learn early how to use public transportation.

“We want kids to be able to learn transit as a way of life, as a mind-set,” Rexroad says.