Mountain Metropolitan Transit offering free bus rides to reduce ground-level ozone this summer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Beginning in June, Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) will be offering free rides through the summer. According to MMT officials, this is part of an initiative to reduce ground-level ozone.

"We want to make sure that people who can are able to take a trip on the bus are able to without worrying about the cost of the fair," said Silvia Martinez Palacios, the Public Communication Specialist.

The goal of the initiative "Zero Fare for Better Air" is to motivate people to take public transportation and limit the number of vehicles that are out on the roads in the summer.

This is also a statewide initiative designed to reduce ground-level ozone through a partnership with the Colorado Energy Office.

Officials told KRDO they also hope the free rides will also help increase the number of people riding Metro buses to pre-pandemic levels.

"We did see an increase in ridership last year so we are hoping to see that same increase again this year and improving it, and with all the tourists visiting the area we do want to help keep the congestion down on the streets," said Palacios.  

This is the second year in a row Mountain Metro's offered free rides in the summer. In 2022, officials said more than 300,000 rides were given.

To take advantage of the zero-fare, riders just need to show up and get on the bus. The free rides begin June 1, 2023, and will last through August 31, 2023, in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.

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