SCRANTON, Pa. — With the high cost of a lot of stuff these days, there's a break for bus riders this week in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.
COLTS, the County of Lackawanna Transit System, and LCTA, the Luzerne County Transit Authority, are teaming up to offer free rides this week.
Starting Monday, October 25, through Saturday, October 30, both agencies are offering free bus rides on all routes.
This goes for ADA passengers as well.
The campaign is titled "No Tricks, Just Treats," and officials with the agencies are hoping this will increase ridership, help get people familiar with the buses without the barrier of the costs of riding, and make it part of their commute or daily travel routines.
"With the way gas is going up and the way the economy is, more people should ride buses. You save money," said Julius Pittman of Scranton.
So if you haven't tried public transit, officials here are hoping you take this opportunity to do so, and if you're a regular rider they say this is a way of saying 'thank you.'
But some riders tell Newswatch 16 they are not the only one who could use a gesture of gratitude.
"We have to say thank you to our bus drivers thank you for the company for all that they do. Their job is not easy," added Pittman.
Pittman says he looks out for them all the time, not just around Halloween.
"I appreciate the bus drivers cause they do a wonderful job. I tell them, all the time, I pray for them all the time at my church that I go to. Yeah 'cause, hey this is a privilege. Cause when you need transportation, they are here for us," said Pittman.
This isn't the first time the two agencies have worked together, either.
COLTS and LCTA continue to align routes and transfers between the counties to standardize the fares and accept each other's bus passes.
The agencies are also hoping this helps riders or people new to the bus celebrate Halloween, maybe put extra money in the pockets for things that really matter, like candy.
For more information about the bus routes for these agencies, click here for COLTS' information or click here for LCTA's information.
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