ATHENS– Athens Transit will propose a new policy to the city tonight. The policy will allow for people aged five to seventeen to ride city buses for free during the summer. Students who attend school and work part-time through the Great Promise Partnership program would also be allowed to ride for free, all year round.

Athens Transit Director Butch McDuffie says this policy will increase employment for teens and reduce criminal activity amongst local young people.

McDuffie reports that these free rides will cost the transit system around ten thousand dollars. He hopes that the local school district and an economic boost from working youth will help ease these costs.

The free rides would begin May 20th and end on August 9th.