The Point: Buses depart every 15 minutes, with 14 stops between Corona and UC Riverside

The Riverside Transit Agency is giving customers another reason to ride the bus with free rides on RapidLink, July 1 to September 3. Just hop on and your ride is free – no coupon or secret code is needed.

There’s no schedule – buses depart every 15 minutes. During the morning, RapidLink Gold Line buses depart UC Riverside and the Corona Transit Center from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Afternoon buses depart between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. RapidLink Gold Line travel times are up to 30 percent faster than Route 1, which travels along the same Magnolia Avenue and University Avenue corridor. Click here for schedules and stops.

The 16 RapidLink buses, which carry up to 38 seated customers and 17 standees, use clean-burning fuel, offer free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports, and include a rack that can carry up to two bikes. Another feature is the ability for riders to track buses in real-time with BusWatch, on the BusWatch app or on the Transit app.

Since service began last August, ridership aboard RapidLink has remained steady, with roughly 2,500 riders a week. RTA expects ridership to grow, once customers become more aware of the service.

The free RapidLink rides are part of a larger campaign to get people on the bus this summer. In June, RTA kicked off a promotion that lets students in grades 1-12 ride for just 25 cents all summer. Expanded “Beach Bus” service aboard Route 202 also has begun with express trips every day from Murrieta and Temecula to Oceanside.

Riding RapidLink after the promotion is $1.50, the same as other RTA local bus routes, and all RTA passes are accepted as well as U-Pass, Go-Pass and City Pass programs.

The Point: RTA RapidLink Service Saves 30% Trip Time At Same Cost, Free For Students

The Riverside Transit Agency’s new RapidLink Gold Line service between UC Riverside and Corona launched this month, creating Riverside County’s first limited-stop bus service that reduces trip times by up to 30 percent between UCR and the Corona Transit Center.

As the most heavily traveled transit route in the county, this development along the 19-mile route offers thousands of commuters a fast, affordable and comfortable choice for their daily commutes.

“RapidLink will benefit thousands of Riverside County residents,” said RCTC Chair and RTA Board Member John Tavaglione. “As our county continues to grow, it’s vital for us to continue to partner with RTA and other transit providers to ensure more services like this are available to residents. RTA should be proud of this achievement.”

The new line ushers in a new level of transit service in the Inland Empire. Buses arrive every 15 minutes during peak commuting hours and feature free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and a rack that can carry up to two bikes. The buses also use clean-burning Compressed Natural Gas fuels that reduce emissions. Customers will also be able to track these buses in real-time with BusWatch at www.rtabus.com or on the BusWatch app.

As the regional transportation planning agency for Riverside County, RCTC serves as a funding partner for transit projects like this one. We are proud partners with RTA, Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency, SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine), and numerous municipal transit providers.

For more information regarding stop locations, bus schedules, and travel times, see this RTA fact sheet.

In addition to this line, RTA is also exploring a second RapidLink line connecting Moreno Valley and Perris.