It’s been six months since Ride Acadiana, the pilot commuter bus route connecting Acadia Parish to Lafayette began. 

Rachel Godeaux and Deidra Druilet with the Acadiana Planning Commission say even though it’s a pilot program, they would like to see the ride service continue after it ends in May. 

“The feedback has been really positive about the service itself just about the potential the opportunities that the Ride Acadiana presented to the public for workforce development and just for jobs in general, so it’s been really positive from the public,” added Rachel Godeaux, Community and Economic Development Director. 

Deidra Druilet, Communications Manager, said they’ve seen a steady amount of ridership on Ride Acadiana. 

“Right now, we’ve had approximately about 2000 riders since we launched. Being able to provide that link between the rural and the urban has been really great.” 

Godeaux said right now, one of their goals is to continue the service until the end of May. 

“From a long-term perspective, this is a pilot initiative. There really has to be some expressed interest from the municipalities and the public to continue the service.” 

Druilet added, “We’ve never had this type of transportation service before and so it’s really exciting being able to test it out and look at the interest from the local community.” 

The Acadiana Planning Commission says the option to continue Ride Acadiana is open for discussion right now.  

Godeaux says dedicated revenue is needed, but it hasn’t been found yet.