City of Huntsville to Celebrate New Transit Center Opening with Free Orbit Rides
The city of Huntsville is on the brink of a major enhancement to its public transit system with the grand opening of the new Transit Center. Set to officially open on September 3, the new facility is located at 521 Pratt Avenue NW, next to the picturesque Pinhook Creek. To mark this exciting occasion, the city is offering residents free rides on the Orbit bus system throughout the entire month of September.
Overview of the New Transit Center
After years of valuable community input and extensive public sessions, Huntsville is ready to unveil its new downtown transit center. This facility is not just a hub for riding; it also represents significant upgrades to the city’s public transportation infrastructure. The new center will feature improved amenities to enhance the riding experience for passengers.
New Routes and Updates
With the debut of the new facility, city officials have announced an additional transit route, bringing the total to 11 routes. This includes key updates to existing routes, particularly routes 2, 5, and 6, while introducing the new Route 56 which will serve the Bailey Cove area in South Huntsville. Director of Parking and Public Transit, Quisha Bryant, expressed the initiative’s goal: “This is an excellent opportunity for passengers to familiarize themselves with the new facility as well as the updated and new routes.”
Encouraging Ridership Growth
Huntsville has experienced a significant uptick in public transit usage, with ridership levels reaching impressive figures. The fixed route ridership soared to 94% of pre-pandemic levels in recent months. Notably, the Orbit buses alone carried 630,569 passengers in 2023, marking a remarkable 29% increase from the pandemic low of 2021.
Similarly, paratransit services have seen a resurgence, serving 100,832 riders last year—up 38% from the pandemic’s onset in 2020 and a 20% increase compared to 2022. The growth indicates a strong recovery and reinforces the city’s commitment to providing reliable public transportation options.
Conclusion
The opening of the new Transit Center is an exciting milestone for Huntsville, aimed at enhancing connectivity and accessibility for the community. With free rides throughout September and several new routes introduced, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the improved transit services.
