Riders of Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) buses were treated to a day of free rides on June 21, 2012, part of the Company's annual "Dump The Pump" campaign to encourage people to consider taking the bus rather than driving everywhere. Bus riders typically get more exercise than drivers getting to and from the bus stop. The event is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, which is celebrating the event in partnership with The Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council and public transit systems across the nation. For those who rarely ride the bus, the fee event was a welcome relief from the typical $1.20 fares. For those like Michael Cormier who ride the bus every day, it was not so welcomed. "Some of the buses are packed with people who never ride, making it hard for regulars like me to find a seat," he complained. Most, however, found the experience a positive one and helped them consider how they might ride more often. Click here for the Standard-Times article. Click here for photos of a recent rally for evening and Sunday service.  For more information, contact SRTA Bus at 508-997-6767.   

(Top row, left and center) SRTA bus driver John White provides information to passengers, including Ron Halprin. (Top row, right) Bus rider Justin Medger holds his one-year-old baby before boarding a bus to New Bedford. (Middle row, left) Regular rider Scott Robideux takes buses all over the city on a regular basis using his half-price disability card. (Middle row, right) The New Bedford bus displays a bicycle rack with which all buses are now equipped, making long distance commutes possible. (Bottom row) Riders Emerson Witner, Stephen Civitarese and Marybell Civitarese take a ride on the Winter Street bus to visit someone at Charlton Hospital. The Bus continues on to Bristol Community College where driver Eric Carvalho turns around for the return trip to the central terminal.