Private company takes over Gator Aider Service for 2010-2011 football season

June 29, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Regional Transit System will not provide the Gator Aider football shuttle service for the 2010-2011 University of Florida football season.

The Gator Aider service is classified as a charter service by the Federal Transit Administration. RTS is a federally funded public transit system so it must abide by the FTA rules governing charter services. The FTA Charter Service Rule (Title 49-Part 604-Charter Service) states that any transit agency receiving federal funding must advertise any charter service to private transit companies as to provide a level playing field for these services. If a private company shows interest in the advertised service, then the public transit agency must step back and allow the private company to provide the service.

Earlier this summer, Fabulous Coach Lines of Branford, Fla., expressed interest and verified it will be able to provide the Gator Aider service. For information such as cost, park-n-ride locations and times of operation, please visit www.fabulouscoach.com or call toll-free 866-352-7295.

RTS will provide its normal Saturday service, however Campus and Later Gator routes will be temporarily suspended as usual on game days due to the influx of traffic.

Visit the RTS Web site at www.go-rts.com or call 352-334-2600 for general schedule information.

CONTACT: Bob Woods, Public Information Officer
Email: gainesvillepio@cityofgainesville.org
Telephone: 352-334-5017