Fill tires with extra air, draft behind a huge semi-truck or even drive the speed limit – drivers these days will do anything to pinch a penny at the gas pump. Although you may not want to hear it, there is still one fool-proof way to save money on gas: Ride the bus.
Regional transit hubs have been trying for years to draw riders to their service. While the campaigns have been moderately successful, bus use in some areas of the region remains sparse. But today, Snohomish County’s Community Transit has hundreds of unofficial billboards posted across the county – at every gas station. With prices breaching $3 per gallon, there is no better advertisement for mass transit.
Community Transit spokesman Martin Munguia said the agency has seen a ridership increase of 5 percent in 2005 and has noticed a number of first-time riders looking to try the transit system in recent weeks. But many new riders still may be apprehensive or stubborn about hopping a bus around town. If so, this week provides a great opportunity to take a transit trial run.
Beginning Thursday, the opening day of the Evergreen State Fair, Community Transit will run extended hours to accommodate riders traveling to Monroe for the festivities. At just $1 for adults, and chump change for youth and seniors, the fare to the fair will help you save money on gas and parking. On weekends, bus drivers will have $2-off coupons for fair admission, essentially making the cost of the bus trip a wash.
Speaking of washes: Perhaps the biggest kicker of taking the bus to the fair is that you won’t need to spend $10 to cleanse your vehicle of the thick layer of dust that your car’s bound to acquire at the fairgrounds. And you won’t have to walk through a quarter of a mile through the aforementioned dust to get to the entrance of the fair, either.
That’s because the bus trip is efficient, too. The chauffeuring transit will help tame tempers on the ever-crowded Highway 2, and upon arrival at the fair, the bus will drop you off conveniently at the front gate, where it will pick you up again after a day roller coasters, stuffed animals and elephant ears.
For those prospective riders who aren’t experienced in the array of transit stations and bus times, a trip can be planned quickly and easily at www.commtrans.org or by phone at 425-353-RIDE.
You never know, maybe county transit is easier than you had imagined. Given the price of gas, it’s worth a shot.
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