MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 24, 2019) – Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will offer free service on Friday, April 26, as part of Try Transit Day, a regional campaign to promote public transit throughout the area.
MCAT will offer free fixed route rides throughout the service day, from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Route 99 service into Sarasota and the Skyway ConneXion limited stop, express service to Pinellas County. The promotion is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s public awareness campaign to encourage commuters to consider alternative modes of transportation, especially for work commutes, which typically involve one vehicle transporting only one person.
Transit Manager Bill Steele said Try Transit Day is a great way to highlight the benefits public transportation offers riders, including saving money on fuel, improving the environment by cutting down on carbon emissions and additional productive time on the commute to and from work.
“Each year Try Transit Day is one of our most popular promotions,” Steele said. “Public transit benefits the environment and it cuts down on vehicular traffic in our county. Regular transit use allows passengers to save fuel costs, auto insurance and maintenance expense, and relieve the stress from bumper to bumper traffic.”
Manatee County transit routes are now a part of Google Transit Maps, making route information available on all computers and smart phones with an Internet connection.
MCAT serves Bradenton, Ellenton, Palmetto, Rubonia and the gulf beach communities. Fixed route buses run 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Fares are $1.50 each way and a Daily Unlimited Ride bus pass is only $4. Passengers may pay using U.S. coins and currency, M-Card, or R-Card transit passes.
For information on MCAT routes and schedules visit www.mymanatee.org/mcat or call (941) 747-8621. To register for more information on car pools, transit, biking, walking and running as alternatives, visit www.commuterservicesFL.com
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.