La Crosse residents encouraged to ride the bus during Transit Equity Days

If you’re not in the habit of riding a city bus, this might be the week to try it.

In La Crosse, Transit Equity Days are in effect through Sunday, when you can get free bus rides and learn more about local mass transit.

“Give it a shot, just once, if not twice,” says Liz Fryseth of La Crosse, a regular MTU rider. “It’s an easy way, it’s affordable, unlike Uber or Lyft. It’s also easier to get a hold of than a taxi service.”

State Representative Jill Billings joined city officials at the downtown transit center on Monday to promote the bus system.

“When people come to take a look at La Crosse, and decide, do I want to settle here, people like me look at a city like La Crosse and say, do they have mass transit at all?” said Billings. She says mass transit has been helpful to her many times in the past, including one time years ago when she says her car “blew up” and she couldn’t drive it.

The national Transit Equity Day happens February 4th, in honor of the birthday of Rosa Parks, known for her efforts to eliminate racial discrimination on buses.

Obbie King is an advocate for riding the bus, saying he hasn’t owned a car in 15 years. “We’re saving thousands of dollars per year not owning a car,” he says. “It doesn’t cripple us, it doesn’t pin us down.”

At the Grand River Station in La Crosse, Mayor Mitch Reynolds issued a proclamation for Transit Equity Days, saying greater use of buses can help reduce emissions from gas-powered vehicles.