Oshkosh Transit is now GO Transit

OSHKOSH - Oshkosh Transit hopes a new image will lead to more riders. Transit and city leaders unveiled the new "GO Transit" brand Monday morning.

Busses come and go from Oshkosh's downtown transit center.

"I love it, it gets me where I've got to go even though you gotta wait but it's better than paying three or four bucks for gas," said Michelle Gruse of Oshkosh.

It's that sentiment officials with Oshkosh Transit hope to hear more of. And they hope "GO Transit" will do the trick.

"We have a fast paced life and when you take transit, putting the word go in it just makes it sound really easy," said Oshkosh City Council member Bob Poeschl.

City leaders say they know it will take more than a new logo to keep the riders they have and convince new ones to "GO Transit."

"Keeping the same things that we have always had but maybe getting people to look at us that haven't looked at us before," said Oshkosh transportation director Chris Strong.

Transit ridership is up more than six percent over 2011. Currently more than 446,000 riders have used Oshkosh Transit through July compared to just over 419,000 through July of last year. Current riders say the service is good but could be better.

"I think it's nice but I wish it would run a little longer, there are a lot of people that work until 10 p.m. at night and have no way to get home," said Jim Groeschel of Oshkosh.

Transit officials say this is part of a larger plan to keep Oshkosh Transit going forward.

"Having "GO Transit" with all of the invitation and excitement that brings they are more likely to use it in the future," said Strong.

The re-branding effort cost the city about $30,000 to change the logos on signs and busses.

The new branding includes a new website, rideGOtransit.com.