The number of people using the shuttle service to and from this year's Washington Town and Country Fair was down by about 5,500 from last year.
This year, a total of 15,939 people rode the buses provided by First Student, according to Sherry Pope, location safety manager/dispatch officer.
There were 2,364 riders Wednesday, 2,652 Thursday, 4,042 Friday, 4,643 Saturday and 2,238 Sunday,
In 2010, a total of 21,532 riders used the shuttle service. Last year, there were 2,498 riders Wednesday, 4,217 Thursday, 5,451 Friday, 5,714 Saturday and 3,652 Sunday,
In 2009 there were 25,427 total riders and in 2008, 29,703 riders took the shuttles. In 2007, about 28,359 riders used the shuttle service.
A total of 13 buses were used this year. Shuttle buses traveled a total of 5,382 miles Aug. 3-7.
The buses ran every 15 to 20 minutes between 10 different parking lots throughout Washington and the north gate of the fairgrounds from 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Pope said to save on mileage expenses, sometimes bus trips to the Borgia and Clemco lots were combined.
Pope said the shuttle service went smoothly and riders were courteous.
She thanked the Fair Board for its help.
First Student purchased the bus service from Laidlaw Education Service. Laidlaw had been providing the service since 1992 for the Fair.
First Student also provides transportation for the Washington and Union School districts.
