Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District had over 50,000 riders riding the bus in August.

There were a total amount of 780,000 riders, which is a 9 percent increase from last August.

Jan Kijowski, the marketing director of Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District, said the number itself is a good sign that students will be utilizing MTD buses more often in the future.

“It’s fantastic,” Kijowski said. “(We) love having the University of Illinois community as riders, they are important to the services as a whole.”

Usually, ridership numbers start increasing by September or October. MTD is not sure of the reasons behind the increased usage so early in the year.

“We think it is a combination of the familiarity with the service and the large class of freshmen,” Kijowski said.

Jana Smith, a junior in AHS, said she usually chooses to ride the bus rather than walking to classes.

“When I leave my apartment in the morning, I will just text them before I go out especially in the winter,” Smith said. “That way I don’t end up waiting 15 minutes outside.”

Kelly Banser, senior in LAS, said she does not usually take the bus in her hometown but the buses at the University are convenient to ride.

“I think they are usually on time and their schedules are really accurate,” Banser said. “Really reasonable and trying to be accommodating all the students.”