Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. (KRFDC) will commemorate the 30-year anniversary of Foothills Express, the area’s public transportation system, on Thursday.

To celebrate, Foothills Express will offer complimentary service throughout the service day on the Berea Bus Route, Richmond Transit Service, Winchester-Clark County Transit Service and Madison County Connector Route.

During this special promotion, all riders can enter special drawings for free transit tickets (city routes, Express trips and Connector rides).

KRFDC launched its three public transportation routes to provide a means of affordable, safe community transportation to residents.

“The introduction of these three bus routes has changed the lives of thousands of people,” Bryan Basford, transportation director, said. “Public transportation provides opportunities for people to access jobs, education, shopping and recreational activities.

“We have very loyal riders on our buses and appreciate them. Through this special promotion we want to say ‘Thank you’ to them and give new riders a chance to try Foothills Express for free. We strive every day to reach out to potential riders to consider alternative modes of transportation, especially for work commutes typically involving one vehicle transporting one person.”

Placing a spotlight on public transportation is also a great way to highlight the benefits it offers riders, including saving money on fuel, improving the environment by cutting down on carbon emissions, mitigating traffic, and additional productive time on the commute to and from work.

“We hope residents will learn how they can use transit in their life and take advantage of the money savings and the commute time to read, chat, email or otherwise relax on the bus,” Basford said.

Through the three public transportation routes, riders are able to board the bus at any of the stops for $1 or 50 cents for college students with a valid ID.  These stops include stores, apartment communities, city and county offices and businesses. The Berea route runs on a regular one-hour loop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Richmond and Winchester routes are on a 90-minute loop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riders are able to get on or off at any stop. Wheelchair-assisted door-to-door service is available for no additional cost. Buses are wheelchair accessible. Bulk passes are available (10 for $7).

Since the inception of all three public transportation routes, Foothills Express has seen ridership far exceed expectations and ridership projections.

“Our bus routes have proved to be what we always knew it would be: A key part of a first class transportation system that provides access and opportunity throughout the corridor, our cities and our region,” Basford said.

Foothills partnered with the City of Winchester and the Clark County Fiscal Court to provide this service on Oct. 9, 2008.

All four services are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is passed through the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (Office of Transportation Delivery).

All bus routes, including stop times and locations, can be found online at http://www.foothillscap.org/Services/Transportation.html

Foothills Express also operates an express service (curb to curb), a Madison County to Lexington commuter route, a Winchester to Lexington commuter route, an inter-city route (to Lexington, Louisville and Northern Kentucky transit systems including airports) and BIG E Transit at Eastern Kentucky University — a six route service for students, faculty and staff.

For more information call the Foothills Express office at 859-624-3236.