People can ride on the two new red and green buses, designed to look like trolleys, for free, at least for now, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"For me, we're just getting on to see where we go and how it works," said Christina Marshall, who rode Tuesday morning.

The buses ride along four routes that include more than 100 designated stops, such as at hospitals, universities and shopping centers.

"This is going to help the citizens that need to get to work, to school," said Lori Tate, president of United Way of Howard County.

"I work with a special ed group of children that have a possibility of getting jobs, but a lot of times, they don't have transportation," said Rebecca Goodwin. "This will really help."

The Kokomo Transit office is still under construction, and the city is working to put up bus stop signs.

"What we've instructed drivers to do is if they flag them down, if you're anywhere within any of these routes, you can flag the bus down, and we'll stop," said Tammy Corn, Kokomo transportation director.

Riders aren't being charged because federal stimulus money is footing the bill, for now.

"We have about $1.2 million invested in the building, the transit center, buying the trolleys, which the city of Kokomo put out $30,000," said Larry Ives, director of the Kokomo-Howard County Government Coordinating Council. "The rest of it has come from federal grants. A million dollars of that is from our stimulus money we got for transit."

The plan calls for the service to be free for riders at least through the end of next year.

Ives said city officials will examine ridership figures and try to apply for additional funds beyond the end of 2011.

The free bus service runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. through 6 p.m.

People who want more information can call 765-456-7388 or get brochures at the Senior Center, City Hall and United Way of Howard County offices.

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