Ridership on the the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Route 8 bus that revved up in Wellesley in October has risen nicely since then, according to the latest figures from the MWRTA’s Daniel Fitch.

Nov 2013 375 passengers

Dec 2013 434 passengers (+16%)

Jan 2014 585 passengers (+35%)

Feb 2014 572 passengers (-03%, likely because of inclement weather)

Mar 2014 745 passengers (+30%)

Apr 2014 799 passengers (+07%)

(Comparatively, the MWRTA’s Natick routes for the month of April carried 1,887 passengers on Route 10 and 1,400 on Route 11.)

“Overall, we are excited with the continued growth of the route and are looking forward to increased ridership as the word gets out and customers become more comfortable giving the route a try,” Fitch says.

He notes that while MWRTA does have official stops on weekday-only Route 8, which goes between the Natick Mall and Woodland Green Line T station, the bus service uses a “flag down” system that allows for riders to signal the driver to stop in other safe locations along the way.

“We highly suggest that if it’s the first time the customer is boarding that they call our dispatchers at (508) 935 2222 to let them know where they are waiting so the dispatcher can inform the driver, give the customer real-time information about the bus, and confirm with the customer that they are waiting in a safe location,” Fitch says.

The MWRTA is holding a Q&A session on the Route 8 service in the Wakelin Room at the Wellesley Free Library this Thursday, May 22 from 6-7pm. mwrta bus flyer