Transit System Gets One Millionth Rider
By Jody Record, Campus Journal Editor
May 2, 2007
Taylor Gorman, UNH Transit’s one millionth rider
- Doug Prince photos
When Taylor Gorman lined up to board a shuttle bus in front
of T Hall yesterday, she just wanted a ride back to her
dorm. It was chilly and she was wearing capri’s and
flip-flops.
What the Williamson Hall resident got for being the one
millionth rider on UNH transit this year was a bouquet of
balloons and more than $800 worth of gifts.
Dirk Timmons, director of transportation, got on the bus
just before Gorman. When she stepped in behind him, he congratulated
her and asked her to step back off to receive her prizes.
Someone handed her the blue and white balloons. Two other
people stood by holding donated cases of Coke.
Gorman, of Marshfield, Mass., accepted the gifts with good
humor.
“This is so funny,” the freshmen said several
times. “I use the buses a lot, especially when it’s
raining. Today I was just a little cold.”
The millionth rider was determined by counting the combined
ridership of Wildcat Transit and Campus Connector since
July 1, 2006. Last year’s total was 911,850. Transportation
officials knew they going to hit a million in 2007 but didn’t
think it would happen this soon.
“We thought it would take until the end of the year
so it’s nice to have reached it in 10 months,” said
Timmons.
Dirk Timmons and transportation manager Beverly Cray present
Gorman with a special T-shirt denoting her as the millionth rider
Gorman’s prizes include brunch for four at the New
England Center, two tickets to the Ogunquit Playhouse, a
hat and T-shirt from Hayden Sports, gift certificates to
the Dairy Bar, UHS, Printing Services, Dunkin’ Donuts,
MacDonald’s, Applebees, Staples, Dick’s Sporting
Goods, Party On Karaoke, a free massage from Health Services,
a water color by Roseann Meserve and a free oil change
at Al’s Garage. All Season’s Vending donated
the two cases of coke.
“As a freshman I don’t have a car so I really
rely on the bus,” Gorman says. “It’s really
convenient—it stops everywhere and I know I won’t
have to wait very long.”
Wildcat Transit connects Durham to Dover, Madbury, Portsmouth,
Newington, and Newmarket while the Campus Connector provides
public shuttle service around campus.
Additionally, UTS operates SafeRides, Guaranteed Ride Home,
Cat Courier, MediCat and the Wildcat Access paratransit
service.
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