RAPID CITY, SD—Rapid Transit System (RTS) recorded more than 20,000 passenger trips in August, with a quarter of the passengers boarding RapidRide as part of the ‘Youth Ride Free’ program.

Overall, 20,258 riders were recorded in the RTS system in August, the second-highest number of passenger trips recorded in August since 2020. It was the second consecutive August with overall ridership numbers exceeding 20,000 rider trips.

Youth ridership on the RTS system was strong with 5,221 youth rider trips recorded, an increase over 5,064 recorded in August 2025. The first day of school yielded 334 youth riders, the same number as the first day of school last year.

For more information about RTS programs, visit www.rapidride.org or call 605-394-6631.  Parents and guardians can contact Rapid Transit Service to register for the youth ridership program or go online to rapidride.org and click on the ‘Youth Ride Free’ button.