Bloomington’s 'Ride Free Week' Aug. 27-Sept. 2

By Dewayne Wright

The annual event provides people with a chance to try out the three local mass transit systems.

"Free Week is a wonderful opportunity for the community to try transit," said Lew May, general manager of Bloomington Transit. "More and more people are discovering how using Bloomington Transit is the way to get to work, school or shopping. Using transit benefits the entire community through the reduction of traffic congestion and demand for parking."

"The week of free service allows all new and returning students the opportunity to become familiar with our services in getting them to and from classes, sporting events, the Indiana Memorial Union and all the varied activities on campus," said Jim Hosler, director of Campus Bus Service.

This year marks the second time Rural Transit, an Area 10 Agency on Aging service, is part of the Free Week. "Many people who live outside of Bloomington rely on Rural Transit to get to jobs, school and shopping within Bloomington," said Jewel Echelbarger, executive director of the Area 10 Agency on Aging. "Rural Transit provides an inexpensive and easy way to access these opportunities.

More information about the three bus services, as well as route maps and schedules can be found at:

http://www.iubus.indiana.edu