It was hot outside, but cool on the bus Thursday as Schuylkill County residents took advantage of free rides from the Schuylkill Transportation System as part of the seventh annual National Dump the Pump Day.
"There are a lot of new faces today," John Kane, Mechanicsville, said from behind the wheel Thursday. "If it wasn't for the heat, this bus would be filled today."
Kane said he has been driving buses for STS for eight and a half years.
"Most of the time, it's a pleasant job," he said.
The 2012 National Dump the Pump Day, which offers free or reduced rates for riders of participating systems, is organized by the American Public Transportation Association to promote the use of public transportation as a way to save money, protect the environment, reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve the quality of life for all Americans.
Kane said he has gotten to know some of the regular bus riders while about 20 percent of riders Thursday were new to STS.
"They see how the ride is and it builds up our ridership," he said.
He said senior citizens are the most frequent riders. He said there are also usually quite a few students from McCann School of Business and Technology, Pottsville, and Penn State Schuylkill using the bus.
"The seniors really appreciate the buses," Kane said. "They always tell me that they don't know what they would do if they didn't have STS."
With the proper identification, citizens over the age of 65 ride free daily on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Lottery. Children under the age of 9 also ride for free while children under 12 ride for 50 cents. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
"In any product or service you need to market it and the only way to do that is put it out there at an affordable cost," Mike Micko, executive director of STS, said Thursday. "The free rides were affordable for everyone and hopefully, we got some new riders that will continue to use the system."
Micko said the number of riders Thursday would not be available until this morning.
One of the riders Thursday, Cindi Reber, Pottsville, has been using the bus for work the past two weeks. Reber said she is a home health aide on her way back from Necho Allen Housing, Pottsville.
"It's a different environment and something new," Reber said. "I also get to meet a lot of new people."
She said the buses were crowded earlier and she planned to take advantage of the free rides by shopping the rest of the day.
While she currently doesn't have a monthly pass, Reber said she is thinking about getting one for next month.
Monthly passes are $50.
Christine Maurer, Pottsville, is a frequent rider who said she often uses her monthly pass for doctor appointments. On Thursday, Maurer said she was taking advantage of the free ride to stop at the grocery store as she prepares for a trip to the shore.
Carolyn Pugh, Pottsville, said she has used the bus every day this week. She said her car broke down earlier this week and can't afford to have it repaired. She said she will be turning 65 years old in August and plans to take full advantage of the senior citizen's free pass as she continues visiting family and friends.
"It's more convenient than a car," Pugh said. "The bus stops right in front of my house."
Pugh said she was using the bus for a doctor's appointment and grocery shopping Thursday.
Therese Zegerski, Minersville, said she takes the bus about four times a week to visit the Minersville and Pottsville libraries and for shopping.
"The driver makes the ride," Zegerski said. "He knows all the regulars by name and is a pleasure to deal with every day. He also does his best to accommodate everyone."
Zegerski said she got a monthly pass about a year ago. She said that buses were her primary source of transportation when she lived near Denver, Col., for 20 years.
"Why not take advantage of public transportation?" Zegerski asked.
For more information about STS and its services, visit www.go-sts.com or call 570-429-2701 or 800-832-3322.