Central Transit Reaches Ridership Milestone

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Less than five months after its inaugural run on Oct. 3, Central Transit reached a milestone recently with its 10,000th rider.

"Even though it has only been in operation since the start of fall quarter, Central Transit has become a legitimate transportation system," says Steve Rittereiser, Central Washington University assistant vice president for business auxiliaries and public safety.

Ellensburg's "Hope Source" provides the drivers and buses for Central Transit, created through a partnership between CWU's Department of Public Safety and Police Services and the Association Students of CWU. Central Transit is available to university students, who pay $3 quarterly fees to support the program.

Larry Anderson, Hope Source transportation director, used radio communications with his drivers to accurately determine that Mario Aronica was 10,000th rider, for which he received a $35 gift certificate from Hope Source.

"We're pleased to be working with Central on this transportation project that better connects students with the community," Anderson notes.

According to Rittereiser, the success of Central Transit is based, "on the enthusiasm of our students and student leaders."

Central Transit operates two busses Sundays through Thursdays from 2 p.m. to midnight and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information about Central Transit, including a list of stops, visit www.cwu.edu/~police/transit_map.html.

Beginning later this month, three new stops could be added to the student-designed route, Rittereiser adds.

Contact: Steve Rittereiser (509-963-2959/fax 509-963-2994/e-mail: chiefr@cwu.edu)

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