HUNTINGTON -- Tri-State Transit Authority will once again offer free bus service to college students in and around the Huntington area.

The offer, which is good during the month of September, includes students at Marshall University, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Huntington Junior College and Ohio University Southern. Faculty and staff from those institutions also can take advantage of the 13th annual program.

Bus riders just need to show the bus driver their university or college ID card when boarding the bus.

Certified Dial-A-Riders need to let dispatchers know they are students when they call to schedule a pickup, then show their identification to the driver when they show up.

According to a release from the TTA, the annual promotion is held to familiarize new residents with the community and ease commuting to campus. At Marshall, it could make a big difference with the estimated 2,000 new freshmen students.

"That's the whole idea," said Paul Davis, general manager of TTA. "Introduce the bus system to incoming freshmen and reintroduce it to people who may have ridden it to get back on the bus. This is a nice opportunity for them to try something new and different."

Davis also said it helps in being a bit greener, in that riding the bus takes vehicles off the road. And, with a new Park-N-Ride off Exit 20 (Huntington Mall and Barboursville), there is an added benefit for those working on campus to leave their vehicles off campus.

For specific route and schedule information, call is 304-529-RIDE (7433). Those at Ohio University Southern should call 740-894-RIDE. More information also can be found at www.tta-wv.com.

The Pullman Square shuttle remains free for all riders throughout the year.

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