Santa Rosa CityBus increases route frequency as free rides for students ramp up

Changes include the full restoration of weekend service and increased weekday buses.|
ANDREW GRAHAM
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Santa Rosa CityBus service will reach 85% of pre-pandemic levels beginning Sunday, with increased offerings including the full restoration of weekend service and more weekday buses.

The changes coincide with students preparing to return to in-person learning.

Santa Rosa has been offering unlimited free rides to schoolchildren up to twelfth grade since July 1 through a new program funded by Bay Area Air Quality Management District grants.

In order to ride for free, students in grades 9-12 must show a student ID, while students in eighth grade and below do not need to show an ID. Homeless youth are also eligible, according to the city.

CityBus ridership reached 56% of pre-pandemic levels in June, Santa Rosa Transit Planner Matt Wilcox said. In June 2020, ridership was at around 36% of pre-pandemic levels. The lowest point came in May 2020 when ridership plunged to 17%, Wilcox said.

You can reach Staff Writer Andrew Graham at 707-526-8667 or andrew.graham@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @AndrewGraham88

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