By Andie Foley
andie.foley@salisburypost.com

Salisbury Transit is offering free fare every Saturday throughout the month of July.

The offering comes in effort to help residents “beat the heat,” said Transit Director Rodney Harrison.

“Summer time is really brutal,” he said. “July is one of the hottest months, so we wanted to make sure there was a least one day a week citizens had a way to meet their daily needs.”

These needs include medical, social, recreational and more, he said.

Harrison said that the Salisbury Transit system makes stops at several main destinations throughout the city: Walmart, Tinseltown, West End Plaza, the YMCA, Harris Teeter, Livingstone College, Rowan Cabarrus Community College, Wallace Commons, Novant Health Rowan Regional Medical Center and the VA Hospital, to name a few.

The idea was a team effort with transit drivers and staff, he said.

“Every year in the past, we had ozone action days: if the air quality was bad, we gave free rides to everyone,” he said. “We weren’t able to offer that program this year, but we still wanted to do something for our citizens.”

He said the offering is just another way for Salisbury Transit to thank those who utilize public transportation.

Normally, bus fare is $1 one way. For senior citizens and citizens with Medicare with ID or citizens with disabilities with a reduced fare card, the cost is $0.50.

Rides on the ADA Paratransit System are $2 one way.

Transfers and children under 5 can ride free.

To take advantage of free rides on Saturdays, Harrison said all one needs to do is show up at a bus stop.

“Our drivers will stop at any bus stop where they see citizens,” he said.

Saturday routes run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

But the free Saturday’s aren’t the only way the transit system is looking out for local residents. During the week, ticketed rides service many local summer feeding sites.

They include:

• At the Cross Ministries, 201 W. D Ave., June 19-Aug. 2, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only, lunch, 11:15 a.m.
• City Park Recreation Center, 316 Lake Drive, June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 12:15 p.m.
• Clancy Hills Apartments, 100 Clancy St., June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 11:15 a.m.
• Emmanuel Youth Experience, 306 Barbour St., East Spencer, June 18-June 22 and July 23-Aug. 16, breakfast and lunch, 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• First Presbyterian Church, 308 W. Fisher St., June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 12:40 p.m.
• Keep in Touch Ministries, Brenner Crossing Apartments, 610 Hall St., June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 11 a.m.
• Knox Middle School, 1625 Park Road W., June 18-Aug. 10, Monday-Thursday, breakfast and lunch, 8:45 am. and 12:20 p.m.
• Miller Recreation Teen Center, 1402 W. Bank St., June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 12:15 p.m.
• Salisbury Housing, 1042 E. Lafayette St., June 13-Aug. 16, breakfast and lunch, 9 a.m. and noon.
• Salisbury Housing, Linn Lane Apartments shelter, June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, noon.
• Salisbury Housing, Brookview Apartments, 711 S. MLK Jr. Ave., June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 1 p.m.
• Salisbury Housing, Pine Hill Apartments, 410 W. 15th St., June 13-Aug. 16, breakfast and lunch, 9:40 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• The Salvation Army, 620 Bringle Ferry Road, June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 11:45 a.m.
• Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. MLK Jr. Ave., June 13-Aug. 16, lunch, 12:45 p.m.
• Save the Children Community Center, 102 S. Long St., East Spencer, June 13-Aug. 16, breakfast and lunch, 8:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
• J.F. Hurley YMCA, 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. W, June 13-Aug. 16, breakfast and lunch, 8:20 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

For more information on fares, stops and times, visit http://www.salisburync.gov/transit. Exact change is required for weekday rides.