MCAT Offering Free Rides on Tuesday, April 26

BRADENTON, FL – Manatee County residents will have a chance to take a free trip courtesy of Manatee County Area Transit.

MCAT will offer free service Tuesday, April 26 as part of Try Transit Day, a regional campaign to promote public transit. The promotion is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s awareness campaign for commuters to consider alternate transportation, especially for work commutes that involve one person in one vehicle.

Free rides will be available throughout MCAT’s service day from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Route 99 riders traveling to Sarasota. Transit officials will also host an open house at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the open house, residents can register for gas card drawings, commuter giveaways, and learn about other transportation options, such as ridesharing, biking, and walking.

Transit Manager Bill Steel said Try Transit Day is a great way to highlight the benefits that public transportation offers, including saving money on fuel, improving the environment through fewer emissions and additional productive time on the commute to and from work.

“Try Transit Day is clearly one of our most popular promotions of the year,” Steele said. “Public transit benefits the environment and it cuts down on vehicular traffic in our county. Full-time passengers save in fuel costs, but also in indirect ways such as on auto insurance, auto maintenance, and it can relieve you of the stress from bumper-to-bumper traffic.”

Manatee transit routes are now part of Google Transit Maps, making route information available on all computers and smart phones with an Internet connection.

MCAT serves Bradenton, Ellenton, Palmetto and the gulf beach communities. Fixed route buses run from 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 $4.

For more 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, visit www.commuterservicesFL.com.

Photo courtesy of Manatee County

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