The North Battleford Transit system is hoping to drum up interest in riding the bus in the city through a promotion this September.
Readers of this edition are able to clip out a coupon that entitles them to one free bus ride on any Saturday during the month of September.
That is one part of the promotion. The other, according to transit manager Al Love, is being done in conjunction with area schools (particularly the high schools), the Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre, Boys and Girls Club and other locations, where a free ride coupon is being offered for use any time during the entire month.
"That way, if a student wants to try and take it to school and see how it works for them, that would work," said Love of the promotion.
Love said the idea is to get people interested and familiar with the transit system.
There had been a bit of publicity a couple of years ago, Love said, referring to when the City took over the transit system, revised the route and brought in the two new buses. One of them is used on active duty while the other is deployed as the backup should problems arise.
The bus runs from 7 a.m. to the final loop at 6 p.m. weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to the final loop at 5 p.m. Saturdays.
The free ride coupons are a way to reacquaint people with the service they offer, and encourage more ridership.
"It's been a very positive experience for the City so far," said Love, who notes expanding the service is a possibility because people are using it.
"Every month we seem to see an increase consistently. We're getting to the point where, in the beginning, expansion was kind of a dream. Now we're actually looking at it and saying we have to, the need is there."
Those seeking more information about the transit system and its route map can go to the city's website at www.cityofnb.ca, and then click on the "residents" tab and select "transportation" underneath.
