![[VIDEO] RTD dedicates new fleet of buses with ribbon cutting ceremony](https://cdn.socast.io/9065/sites/4/2023/01/31162840/featured-RTD-new-buses.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
January 31st, 2023 – 4:20 PM
Ethan Garrett – WRGA Digital News Editor & Video Reporter –
The public was invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Rome Transit Department on Tuesday afternoon to dedicate five new buses during a ceremony at the Midtown Transit Station.
The five new Gillig buses include many new features like low floors to accommodate easy loading and unloading, a wheelchair lift, and more.
According to Rome Transit Director Kathy Shealey, ridership has increased by around 40% in the last year and a half (averaging 700 riders a day). The Rome Transit Department has offered free ridership since October 2021 and that service has continued into 2023.