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Summer/Fall 2025 Transit Changes

Beginning June 30 with the start of the 2025 Summer B semester, the RTS transit system has implemented planned route changes to create more efficient service for UF students, faculty and staff traveling to and from campus and within Gainesville.

At the same time, the UF Campus Connector shuttle system replaced RTS routes 122 and 127 and will supplement route 118 during the Fall semester for student and staff transportation on campus.

For more information on these changes and full route information on the new bus and shuttle system, please read on below.

Over the past year, the University of Florida and the City of Gainesville have collaborated to review current routes and ridership of the UF-funded portion of the RTS transit system. This joint effort aims to determine the most effective and efficient path forward.

The changes implemented now and this past spring — along with the route adjustments detailed below — are the result of this comprehensive review. Our goal is to ensure that student transportation fees, which support RTS, are used responsibly and deliver maximum value to UF students.

What are the hours of service for the new system?

UF has standardized the hours of service for all our off-campus funded student commuter routes (1, 9, 12, 13, 17, 20, 33, 37, and 38) to operate from 6:30 AM – 11 PM Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM Saturday, and 11 AM – 7 PM Sunday.

On campus, the Campus Connector routes will operate from 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM Monday – Friday all year. During the Fall and Spring semesters, RTS Route 118 will operate from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday and RTS Route 126 will operate from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (these routes do not operate during summer).

UF does not provide funding for any other RTS routes (3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 23, 26, 43, 52, 75, 76 and 78) but the UF community may still ride any of these other routes fare-free with presentation of a valid Gator 1 ID. Hours of service for non-UF-funded routes may be found by visiting the RTS website and using the “Schedules” menu link.

Will wait times increase or decrease compared to the spring semester?

This varies, but most routes will experience reduced wait times due to an increase in the number of buses operating on them. As we continue to evaluate the impact of these changes, we will adjust as needed to ensure the best possible service for our community.

Are late-night or weekend services being affected?

Overall, there will be an increase in service on the weekends. Some routes will be run later into the evening to accommodate students.

Was there any student input considered before finalizing the changes?

Absolutely. For the past year, the University of Florida has collaborated closely with student leaders and other key stakeholders to ensure that the proposed changes align with the needs of students. Two public meetings were also held in the spring to discuss the proposed changes, and adjustments were made based on student feedback. UF also conducted a campus-wide transportation survey this spring, and those responses are being evaluated to determine if further improvements are needed. These changes, along with the previous route adjustments this spring, give UF students the assurance that their transportation fees, which help fund RTS, are being spent wisely and efficiently.

Were budget constraints a factor in these changes?

Available budget is always a consideration in planning operations. These service changes reduced the University of Florida’s payment to RTS to approximately $9.9 million annually (representing a 20% decrease). Since 2015, UF funding for transit operations has remained constant, while costs have continued to increase. This prompted a comprehensive review of the university’s structure, resulting in proposed adjustments to ensure we are using the available funding efficiently.

Will any of these summer changes carry into the fall semester?

Yes, all the changes will remain in effect for the fall semester. However, please note that service levels will increase when the fall semester begins, as the reduced summer schedule comes to an end.

Where can I go to see the updated RTS bus routes and schedules?

The routes and schedules are available on the RTS website by using the “Schedules” menu link or through the “GNVRideRTS” app.

Campus Connector routes and schedules are available at Transportation and Parking Services’ Campus Connector webpage.

Are there any apps or services recommended for real-time bus tracking? 

The free “GoRTS Fares” app is recommended since it can display tracking maps for both RTS and the UF Campus Connector systems. Additionally, the free “GNVRideRTS” app can also track RTS buses, and Campus Connector shuttles may also be tracked using the free “Passio Go” app.

All UF-funded RTS student commuter routes listed below will operate during the following service hours:

Monday-Friday

6:30am – 11:00pm

Saturday

7:00am – 7:00pm

Sunday

11:00am – 7:00pm

Peak service (when the most buses are running on each route) will be approximately 7:45am – 5:30pm, Monday – Friday during Fall 2025. Some routes’ peak service hours may vary slightly, please check the schedule links below for full info.

  • Route 1 (ROUTE CHANGE: new route combines old Routes 1 and 46): Rosa Parks Downtown Station to Butler Plaza Station
  • Route 9: The HUB to Hunter’s Run/Hideaway/Countryside
  • Route 12 (ROUTE CHANGE: new route combines old Routes 12, 34, and 35): The HUB to SW 23rd St/Williston Rd/SW 34th St
  • Route 13 (ROUTE CHANGE: new route combines old Routes 13 and 122, including service to Alight/Legacy/Monarch apartment complexes): Cottage Grove to Alight Apartments
  • Route 16 (SERVICE COMBINED into new Route 17): most riders should now use Route 17; riders located near SW 16th Ave/SW 13th St intersection may also use Route 13
  • Route 17 (ROUTE CHANGE: new route combines old Routes 16 and 17, plus westbound service on Depot Avenue): UF Health/Shands/Beaty Towers to SW 16th Ave/Rosa Parks Downtown Station
  • Route 20 (ROUTE CHANGE: new route combines service from old Routes 20 and 21): Reitz Union to Oaks Mall
  • Route 21 (SERVICE COMBINED into new Route 20): riders should now use Route 20; riders on SW 20th Ave between SW 43rd St/SW 38th Terr (The Hammocks, Kensington South, Addison Lane) may also use Route 33
  • Route 28 (SERVICE COMBINED into new Route 33): riders should now use Route 33
  • Route 33 (ROUTE CHANGE: new route combines service from old Routes 28 and 33 plus service to apartment complexes on SW 20th Ave between SW 43rd St and SW 38th Terr, including The Hammocks, Kensington South, and Addison Lane): The HUB to Butler Plaza Station
  • Route 34 (SERVICE COMBINED into new Route 12: most riders should now use Route 12; riders on SW 2nd Ave should use Route 5
  • Route 35 (SERVICE COMBINED into new Route 12): most riders should now use Route 12; riders on SW 35th Pl may also use Route 37
  • Route 37: The HUB to SW 35th Pl, SW 37th and 39th Blvds, and Butler Plaza Station
  • Route 38: The HUB to Gainesville Place
  • Route 46 (SERVICE COMBINED into new Route 1): riders should now use Route 1

Show your Gator 1 ID to ride with us!

  • Campus Connector provides two routes operating Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Summer B: shuttles will arrive at each stop every 15-18 minutes throughout the day
  • Fall: shuttles will arrive at each stop every 10-12 minutes during peak service from 9:15 AM – 3:45 PM and every 15-18 minutes outside those hours
  • Please check the route maps below for more info on specific stops and service
  • Click here for additional info on Campus Connector

*Click or tap each route image to open a larger view*

Campus Connector Westside Circulator

Bus changes for West routes

Campus Connector Eastside Circulator

Bus changes for East routes

Click Here For Additional Info On Campus Connector

These UF-funded RTS campus routes will operate during Fall 2025:

  • Route 118: The HUB to SW Rec/Park and Ride
  • Route 126: Weekend Campus Circulator

Other RTS routes not listed above are variously funded by the City, Santa Fe College, and Alachua County. These include Routes 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 23, 26, 43, 52, 75, 76 and 78.

UF students, faculty and staff may ride any RTS route fare-free by presenting their Gator 1 ID upon boarding. To view all currently available RTS routes for any given semester, visit go-rts.com, click Schedules from the top menu and then choose the desired semester.

SNAP Service Hours Change

What’s Changing:

  • Program hours:
    SNAP will now operate from 8:30 PM – 3 AM, 7 days a week during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters

What’s Staying the Same:

  • Service zone:
    Remains the same (map: SNAP Webpage)
  • Download the free “UF SNAP by Spare” app to request rides and track vans

For more information on SNAP, please visit taps.ufl.edu/alternative-transportation/snap/.

UF Safe Rides by Lyft Changes

  • TAPS worked closely with Student Government and Student Life leadership to implement these changes which will keep the program robust for our students while maintaining financial viability.
  • We partnered with Lyft to send emails and push notifications to all participants in the UF Safe Rides program, explaining the new program parameters. Additionally, an informational banner is available on the UF Safe Rides webpage.

What’s Changing:

  • Program hours:
    Changed from 9 PM – 3 AM, Wednesday–Sunday
    to 11 PM – 3 AM, 7 days a week
  • Ride discount:
    Changed from 50% per ride to 40% per ride
  • Maximum ride cost:
    Safe Rides will continue to cover up to $15 of a $30 ride

What’s Staying the Same:

For more information on UF Safe Rides, please visit taps.ufl.edu/alternative-transportation/uf-safe-rides/.