Marion officials hope to get people thinking about taking the bus more often, and they're offering free rides in July in an effort to boost ridership.
People will be able to ride throughout Marion for free next month as the Marion Area Public Transportation System is lifting fees on all of its routes for July.
"Gas prices are $4 a gallon, and we want to get the word out there's an alternative to driving your car," said Rayme Swan, assistant director of transportation for Marion.
Swan said the idea is to show appreciation for current customers and reach out to new ones. He said he hopes more people give the system a try.
"Public transportation as a whole has a black eye from many years of it being for seniors only, and many people don't know it's for everyone," Swan said.
The last time the city offered free bus rides was September 2005 through April 2006, in the wake of gas prices hitting $3 per gallon after Hurricane Katrina. Swan said the city can't offer free rides for six months this time around because of budget uncertainties arising from property tax relief legislation.
Still, Swan said, he hopes the month-long offer will make it clear to riders that the city is there to help them out.
Some area bus riders are already looking forward to next month.
"It's going to save me a great deal," said Mona Thomas, Marion, who rides the bus system a few times a week, sometimes every day, running errands such as shopping and banking.
She said the buses take her pretty much everywhere she needs to go, and she's surprised more people don't take the city buses because they can save on gas money.
"I think there should be more people riding it," Thomas said. "I don't know if they know how much easier it is."
Sabrina Wise and her 7-year-old daughter, McKenzie, were getting ready to ride the bus for the first time Tuesday.
"I think the gas prices are a bit ridiculous," Sabrina Wise said.
She just heard of the free rides in July and said she would consider riding the system more in the future.
Swan said he isn't too worried about losing money on the month-long offer, especially because much of the funding for MAPTS comes from grants.
"In the grand scheme of things, one month isn't going to break the bank," he said.
High gas prices have caused a slight increase in ridership for some routes, Swan said, but not "as much as it should be." He said he hopes to see a 15 percent to 20 percent increase in ridership, and the free ridership program in July could help get the city there.