ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced a new holiday gift for travelers in Howard County – free bus rides beginning December 14 until December 24, 2019. In the spirit of Ride, Shop, Be Jolly, the RTA will provide free rides to major shopping destinations across the county and all routes the buses serve.
“This is the time of year when shoppers from around the region discover the diversity and quality of our world-class stores and restaurants,” said Ball. “By offering ten days of free RTA bus service, we are providing an added incentive for residents and visitors to use public transportation. Our goal is to take cars off the road, improve congestion and safety while being more environmentally friendly this holiday season. By taking advantage of this offer, our residents will save money and deal with less stress. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and make utilizing public transportation a New Year’s resolution for 2020.”
Shopping destinations include The Mall in Columbia, Arundel Mills Mall and shopping centers in Snowden Square, Long Gate, Laurel, Elkridge, Columbia Crossing and Dobbin.
“Whether our customers are taking transit for convenience or due to a lack of other transportation options, the County and RTA want to thank both our loyal and new customers for their commitment to sustainable transportation choices like the RTA,” said Bruce Gartner, Administrator, Howard County Office of Transportation.
“I thank our County Executive, Dr. Ball for making this free ride campaign possible. Since this is a ten-day campaign, it will allow our Howard County transit riders to have extra money during this holiday season,” said Astamay Curtis, Acting Chairperson, RTA Riders’ Advisory Council. “The free rides thank the loyal ridership, as well as encourage others to ‘try transit’ this holiday season and become regular transit users.”
There will be no transit service on December 25. For more information about RTA routes, bus schedules and the holiday promotion, visit www.transitRTA.com/routes.
