A six-week pilot program will start next week to test expanded City Ride bus service. The test, which is planned from Monday, July 16, through Friday, August 24, will expand two downtown bus routes and add stops along those routes.

The changes come as a result of customer suggestions. Based on these comments, both routes 101 and 102 will be extended to take in five additional blocks south of Clark Avenue, where the buses typically stop. Five more stops will be added to the route in the downtown corridor.

At the conclusion of the test period, passenger counts will be monitored and a determination will be made whether the temporary bus routes should become permanent.

Routes 101 and 102 operate daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Bus fares will remain at 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for seniors and children ages 5 to 17. Children under the age of five are free.

For route maps, please visit the City Ride Web page.