Fall 2025 RTS service changes, text-based bus tracker, and new GatorAider agreement
Press release from the City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The City of Gainesville’s Regional Transit System (RTS) will implement several service adjustments this fall in response to decreased financial support from the University of Florida (UF). With its annual operating budget reduced by approximately 22% — from $12.7 million to $9.8 million going into fiscal year 2026 — RTS has scaled back across multiple routes.
“It’s disappointing we’ve come to a point where services to the community are impacted,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey L. Ward. “The university is focused on expanding campus-operated transit options. But as they redirect those student transportation fees, it has the unfortunate side effect of diminishing our city’s public transit system as a whole, including services to students, faculty, and staff at the university.”
Fine-tuning the fall schedule has remained an open discussion, and the system is still undergoing minor adjustments. Most significantly, UF has agreed to restore funding to a pair of heavily-traveled routes. Routes 5 and 8, each of which was reduced to one bus over the summer, will receive an additional $215,143 from the university to reinstate service frequency during peak travel hours during the fall and spring semesters.
The City Commission is considering a funding allocation that would allow the restoration of peak travel hours for Routes 5 and 8 to continue year-round, along with additional funding to restore peak hour service for Routes 15 and 43. Those allocations will be voted on as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.
Fall Service Changes
To align with the overall reduction in funding, the financial stress of insurance premiums, and a pension obligation bond payment, which have increased by approximately $1 million combined, service changes introduced with UF’s Summer B will continue into the fall semester. The RTS Fall 2025 service period, effective Monday, Aug. 18, will include the following adjustments:
Campus Service:
- RTS Routes 122, 125, 127, and 150 replaced by Campus Connector
- RTS Route 118 is retained (two buses)
- RTS Route 126 is retained (weekends only, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.)
City Routes (UF-Funded):
- RTS Routes 12, 34, and 35 combined as Route 12
- RTS Routes 16 and 17 combined as Route 17
- RTS Routes 20 and 21 combined as Route 20
- RTS Routes 9 and 38 return to original alignments
- RTS Routes 1, 12, 13, 17, 20, and 33 receive alignment changes
- RTS Routes 1, 20, and 37 increase frequency
City Routes (City-, County-, and Santa Fe College-Funded):
- RTS Routes 5 and 8 frequency reinstated during peak hours (fall and spring)
- RTS Routes 15 and 43 frequency reinstatement under consideration
- RTS Routes 3, 6, 7, and 75 receive alignment changes
- RTS Route 23 is extended to Butler Plaza from Oaks Mall
For full route details, visit go-rts.com.
New “Find My Bus” Tool Launches at 844-899-1556
Despite budget pressures, the City is reaffirming its commitment to community mobility with the launch of an easy new tool to help people predict when their bus will arrive.
With the “Find My Bus” tool, users can text their bus stop ID (and optionally the route number) to 844-899-1556 to receive real-time arrival predictions. No app, no internet — just send a simple text and receive a reply with the next arrival time via standard SMS. Users can also opt for the browser-based online version. The service works 24 hours a day and is already available to the public (message and data rates may apply).
Developed by RTS Customer Service Specialist Alfredo Rabelo, “Find My Bus” helps the many RTS riders who don’t have reliable access to smartphones or mobile data. Built and launched on a minimal budget, the service focuses on reliability and ease of use.
“We’ve already heard great feedback from riders and operators alike,” said Rabelo. “People appreciate the simplicity and accessibility, and we’re still making improvements based on input from customers and staff.”
The RTS Connect app is available, as well. Riders can find it for download on both iOS and Android devices.
GatorAider Set for 2025 Football Season
RTS and UF have agreed to continue GatorAider service for the 2025 football season, providing convenient, round-trip shuttle service from park-and-ride locations to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on game days.
Beginning this season, GatorAider is adding the UF Health Professional Park at 3300 SW Williston Road as a third pick-up option. It joins the existing stops at 3450 Hull Road and Celebration Pointe. Service begins with the first home game on Saturday, Aug. 30. For pricing, locations, and season pass information, visit RTS GatorAider online.
“This program is not only about football — it’s about keeping cars off the road and creating a smooth, safe experience for fans,” said Gainesville Transportation Director Jesus Gomez. “We’re glad to continue this tradition with the university and Gator Nation.”
Looking Ahead
With RTS route changes expected to impact many in the Gainesville community, including UF students returning for fall semester, City and university leaders will continue monitoring service levels. Additional adjustments may be implemented based on ridership trends and community feedback as RTS works to continue providing reliable service.
Why should Gainesville Taxpayers pay to BUS UF StuLet UF pay their Fair share, seeing they don’t pay taxes! PONY UP UF!😁
Hold up, FrenchFry…. We students pay tuition, which includes not only tuition but also bus fees, as well as recreational fees. Additionally, those without health insurance must pay health insurance fees, and we are all required to have some degree of health insurance. And JUST INCASE YOU DID NOT CATCH IT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ROUTES ARE FUNDED BY UF. So you should ask where that money is going that is paid to the City for our bus fees. And before you go thinking that I am just some student from elsewhere, you can hold on to that, too. I am not the young student who does not care what the tuition goes to; I am an older student, much older than the average student. I have looked into what my tuition is going for and stay up to date on what is coming out. With nearly $3700 in tuition and fees $2552 of that is my classes minus the books, and the rest are books and fees, which would mean that we are paying the equivalent of a month’s bus pass each month.
Fees?
Try a monthly mortgage, home insurance, auto insurance, car payments, maintenance, property taxes
Just to name a few…..
Interesting, you should mention this. You seem to think that I am some young student… You seem to assume that I do not pay auto insurance, a car payment, maintenance, etc, when in fact I am 49 years old and yes, a student! And pay not only for schooling but also my bills!!!! But your point has absolutely nothing to do with the funding of RTS Routes, and it seems you assume I live on campus when, guess what, I live just outside the city limits of Gainesville. So let’s put this into perspective. Living expenses for bills are $2078 without extras. Add the extra, and that goes up to approximately $3000. But then let’s talk about even more expensive options, such as the kids in the home. So if $3700 for just fall and Spring plus living expenses, that is $43,400 per year, excluding the costs for the children.