Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) bus riders got a pleasant surprise on June 19, 2008, when fares were cancelled and everyone rode for free!  Part of the American Public Transportation Association's "Dump the Pump" national campaign, the promotion was designed to give people a chance to try using the bus instead of automobiles. With the price of gasoline now topping $4 per gallon, many people can save money by using the bus rather than their cars (see the Transit Calculator). Using the bus also encourages people to walk more, since people have to walk to and from the bus stop, as opposed to automobiles which people are often able to park close to home. In fact, most places in Fall River can be reached through a combination of walking, buses and riding a bicycle, which can be placed on a rack in front of most of the SRTA buses. Click here to read the Herald News article about the day. To contact SRTA, call 508-999-5211 or e-mail them at info@srtabus.com.
 

(Top row, left) A SRTA bus runs with a "Have a Nice Day" message on its banner display. (Top row, center) Driver Joe Rioux stops for a traffic light on 3rd Street over Route 195. (Top row, right) A passenger boards the bus at the central terminal on Borden Street. (Middle row, right) Janice Miranda likes seeing the black plastic bag over the fare box as she boards the bus. (Bottom row, left) Star Kelso and Faye Benson liked have a fare-free ride. (Bottom row, center and right) Mary Defusco, who has been riding the bus for over twenty years, is greeted by Mr. Rioux who she has gotten to know over the past six years that he has been driving.