Starting Monday, bus service to Reno no longer free

There is no such thing as a free lunch, so they say.

Starting Monday, there will be no such thing as a free ride, either.

The PRIDE bus service between Carson City and Reno gave passengers free rides between the two cities during first two weeks of operations. Monday the service will cost adults $3, $1.50 for seniors and the disabled and $2 for youth under 18.

"The first two weeks were designed to let everybody on, try it and say this is a good service," said Jim McGrath, spokesman for the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission. "We're keeping our fingers crossed about the ridership now. We've had a lot of positive feedback, but we're not really quite sure what to expect."

During the first week of operation, 1,637 people rode the PRIDE bus, McGrath said. While numbers were not available Friday for the second week's ridership, McGrath said there was "every indication that the ridership has increased over the first week."

"We had to add extra buses, particularly at midday," he said.

McGrath also noted that some changes have been made to Citifare services in Reno which may affect those transferring to or from the PRIDE service.

Schedules for Citifare routes are available in Citifare Bus Books located at the two PRIDE stops at Meadowood Mall and the CitiCenter Station in downtown Reno. Call 348-7433 for specific schedule and route information.

FOR INFORMATION

For questions regarding the Public Rural Ride transit service between Carson City and Reno, call the Washoe County Regional Transportation Office at 348-0400