Students can thank TK Yang for increased weekend bus service.
Yang, a 20-year-old history and philosophy junior, was campaigning last Fall when he talked to a student who suggested increased student transportation.
A year later, RTS routes 1, 9, 12, 20 and 35, popular routes for UF students, now have shorter wait times on weekends.
The frequency changes went into effect Aug. 19 and will most likely hold through the Spring.
Route 1 will circulate every 30 to 60 minutes on Saturday and 30 minutes on Sunday.
Route 9 will run every 40 minutes on Saturday and Sunday.
Route 12 will now run every 22 to 45 minutes on Saturday and 45 minutes on Sunday.
Route 20 will run every 20 to 60 minutes on Saturday and 60 minutes on Sunday.
The wait time for a bus on Route 35 was sliced from 90 minutes to 45 minutes on Saturday and Sunday.
As a rookie student senator, Yang met with RTS Director Jesus Gomez along with the Transportation Fee Committee to determine which routes would be increased on the criteria of the most used, most coverage and most cost-effective.
“People should know that we senators care and want to bring change,” he said.
Those extended hours didn’t come free. According to RTS Spokesman Chip Skinner, the average cost per hour of service for a route is $62.94. The student transportation fee increased 62 cents from $8.29 to $8.91 per credit hour.
Skinner said RTS’s goal is to have 30-minute frequencies for all routes.
“We’re always looking at expanding weekend service to not only UF students and staff but for those in the Gainesville community,” he said.
A version of this story ran on page 4 on 8/29/2013 under the headline "Student senator helps busy bus routes to get shorter wait times on weekends"
