HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUS SYSTEM WORK-(hint-do the opposite of Trimet)

Across the city's transit system, ridership has soared by more than 50 percent since 2008, steadily increasing every year. In 2011, more than 1.55 million people boarded a city bus, city officials said. The tally includes about half of the system's passengers who needed to take more than one bus on the same fare. Those people are counted more than once per trip.

City officials credit newer, cleaner buses, extended evening hours and route changes over the past few years designed to help buses run on time.

"They're more reliable, and people recognize we've made a lot of steps to improve service," said Randy Hume, the transit director.

FayObserver.com - Fayetteville bus ridership jumps, FAST turnaround credited to improvements