PANAMA CITY — Bayway Transit, Bay County’s public transportation service, had a record increase in ridership during 2024.
Bayway saw a 21% increase in ridership over 2023 with more than 493,000 total trips. A release from the agency says the trend in the increased use of public transportation is consistent across the region.
“This year’s numbers not only reflect the rising demand for public transportation in our community but also highlight the significant strides Bayway has made in enhancing services,” said Lamar Hobbs, Bayway Transit program administrator. “This is particularly exciting as we build on the momentum from our recent wins at the Florida Public Transportation Association annual conference, including being named Florida’s 2024 Outstanding Transit System of the Year.”
Bus routes saw a 13% increase in ridership, servicing 400,891 trips in 2024. Bayway Flex, one of the agency’s micro-transit services, saw 15,915 rides. Bayway OnDemand+, the agency’s same-day service to riders who need extra assistance, had 13,537 booked rides.
Bayway’s two micro-transit services can be scheduled through the app Bayway Flex.
Bayway’s Demand Response System saw 53,448 trips, a 7% increase from 2023. The system works to provide transportation to those who cannot transport themselves because of disability, age or income.
The transit agency also provides free rides to students at partner schools. Gulf Coast State College students took 7,766 trips on Bayway, an 899% increase over 2023. Florida State University’s Panama City campus had 2,193 student riders, a 138% increase. The agency also gave 70 free rides to high school students as part of its new partnership with FSU PC’s collegiate school.
“These accolades, coupled with our impressive ridership growth, underscore the hard work and dedication of my entire team,” Hobbs said. “It’s been a remarkable year for Bayway, and the data is clear: We’re delivering on our commitment to providing safe, reliable and accessible transportation solutions for Bay County.”
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bayway transit sees record increase in ridership in 2024