On Monday, August 28, the Riverside Transit Agency will launch RapidLink Gold Line, an express route between Corona and UC Riverside along Magnolia and University avenues. The route will provide weekday- only service during peak commuting hours with buses departing every 15 minutes — providing service that’s up to 30 percent faster than other buses along the same corridor.
To celebrate the new service, RTA will host a public ribbon-cutting Friday, August 25, at 11 a.m. at the intersection of University Avenue and Lemon Street in downtown Riverside.
“It’s a great time to be a bus rider,” said RTA Chair Linda Krupa. “Having these new RapidLink buses on the streets gives us a major boost in terms of what we can offer our customers, and we are thrilled to introduce the next generation of RTA buses to members of the public who are ready to try public transit — maybe for the first time.”
RapidLink may be faster than other RTA buses but it doesn’t cost more. Rides are free for the fi rst week, August 28 through September 1. After that, the general cost to ride 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.
RapidLink comes with its own brand of buses and stops and serves 14 locations, including stops in Downtown Riverside, Riverside City College, Riverside Plaza, Galleria at Tyler and the Corona Transit Center. During the morning, buses depart UCR and Corona Transit Center from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and afternoon buses depart from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The 16 RapidLink buses, which carry up to 38 seated customers and 17 standees, will continue RTA’s tradition of clean-burning fuel, and offer amenities like free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports.
RapidLink is RTA’s latest push for new service during a time of significant growth. Four years ago, the Agency upgraded its aging fleet with new buses that came with a sleeker, more modern look. Earlier this year, RTA improved service in downtown Riverside by offering better on-street boardings and transfers, and introduced bus shelters at 55 locations, mostly in the downtown area. This summer, RTA launched a BusWatch app, which provided customers with real-time bus locations and arrival times for all routes at stops systemwide.
More growth is on the way. RTA is eyeing new mobility hubs in Hemet, UCR and Temecula, and also considering a second RapidLink line that would connect Moreno Valley and Perris.
“RapidLink is going to change people’s minds about public transportation,” Krupa said. “The way we provide service is changing so fast, but we remain powered by experience, inspired by our customers and motivated to push the limits of what’s possible in public transportation.”
