CTA’s ‘Try Transit Day’ offers residents a chance to try public transportation amid rising gas prices

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — As gas prices rise, you might be thinking about catching the bus. But if you’ve never tried it, this is the perfect chance.

On Thursday, June 18, Coast Transit Authority (CTA) is inviting you to ride for free all day during Try Transit Day.

CTA Executive Director Michael Reso, who has been on the job for a few months now, joined Bill and Hugh on WLOX News This Week to explain more about the opportunity.

[ FEBRUARY: Coast Transit Authority announces Mike Reso as new executive director ]

Rising costs

Reso said rising gas prices are absolutely pushing people to try public transit.

“By riding the bus, it’s obviously a very economic form of transportation... Basically fill up your car one time, and that could be a monthly bus pass,” Reso said. “So definitely, it’s a cost-saving measure for families.”

Try Transit Day is a chance for people to ride for free, but it’s also a chance to consider public transit as an option for transportation.

Reso says CTA’s new changes have allowed it to provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of travel.

“One of the things that’s amazing, I think, for our staff, our mechanics... we’ve transferred about 75% of our fleet to propane. So we’re dual fuel, which is cleaner and more cost-effective. Compared to the gas prices, propane is a fraction of it,” Reso said. “So it’s allowed us to stabilize our budget. But at the same time, providing a very environmental-friendly mode of transportation.”

Growing numbers of riders

CTA has eight routes that run through Gulfport, Biloxi, D’Iberville and Ocean Springs. Reso says part of the D’Iberville route even includes St. Martin.

Reso said although CTA reaches a limited area of the Gulf Coast due to rural areas, it still moves 822,000 people a year, out of a Mississippi Gulf Coast population of around 400,000.

“So it’s a significant impact that we’re having,” Reso said. “Over 600,000 are using the fixed route system. So I think once you try it, you figure out, hey, wait, this could be a vital means... or drive to a certain spot, then jump on it...”

Reso said although CTA is reaching an increasingly large number of riders, there’s still room to grow.

“Over the last few years, we continue to see a moderate increase in what we do,” Reso said.

CTA’s highest-riden route is Pass Road, Reso said, with people going to shop, doctor’s appointments and work.

Reso said the Casino Hopper has the second highest ridership of all routes, with many casino workers and tourists using it. Two trolleys run the loop every 20 minutes.

The Beach Comber is also extremely popular, with the third highest ridership.

CTA also has a Coast Commuter program, which includes 36 vehicles that travel between four states per day, from Florida to Louisiana, moving people to and from work.

Future goals and improvements

Looking to the future, Reso said CTA is always trying to improve.

“The first thing we want to look is, how do we be more efficient?” Reso said. “How do we make sure we provide a safe experience for our riders, and how do we provide a better customer experience overall?”

Reso said one of the improvements CTA is currently making is moving to Genfare software, like you’d see in bigger cities, for paying on buses.

“We’re changing out some of the software on the buses,” Reso said. “So when you go to pay... there’s an app for it. We’re getting that right now. That’s being implemented. It takes a little while, but it’s coming... You’ll have a little wallet, be able to buy passes on your phone and just tap and go.”

Reso said there will also be tap-and-pay at the parking garage in Gulfport.

While improvements can be costly to implement, Reso said CTA is able to receive some federal funding for local transit programs.

Try Transit Day

On June 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can head to the Biloxi Transit Center, where Chick-fil-A sandwiches and other goodies will be given away. You can also ride any CTA route free, from anywhere, all day.

See CTA’s routes and schedules HERE.

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