This Macon event allows the public to ride MTA buses at no charge. What to know.
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- MTA and Bike Walk Macon offer free bus rides to promote transit alternatives.
- Car Free Day highlights health, cost and environmental benefits of less driving.
- Local businesses and events support public engagement with sustainable transit.
Friday is both Car Free Day and Fare Free Day in Macon, sister events hosted by Bike Walk Macon and the Macon-Bibb Transit Authority which give residents a chance to use public transit at no charge.
Bike Walk Macon spearheaded these conjoined events and partnered with MTA to encourage people to experience the benefits of walking, biking and riding transit, as well as to advocate for safer streets in Macon, according to Rachel Hollar Umana, executive director of Bike Walk Macon.
“Whether it’s about improving your health, saving money, reducing your environmental impact, or just lowering daily stress, we want people to experience the benefits of walking, biking and riding transit,” Umana said. “If it’s not a practical option for someone personally, we hope (these events) help build stronger advocacy support for better, safer streets in Macon for everyone.”
But Bike Walk Macon recognized it’s not always possible to bike or walk for entire commute, which is why the group partnered with MTA for Fare Free Day.
“Pairing Car Free Day with Free Fare Day just makes it easier and more fun for people to try something different,” Umana said. “MTA has been a longtime supporter of Car Free Day (because) they understand the importance of that “first and last mile” connection, which refers to how people get to and from public transit.”
Making it more accessible to bike or walk to transit stops ultimately improves access and convenience and encourages people to use public transit more often, according to Umana.
Fare Free Day is exactly what it sounds like — anyone can ride any MTA bus on any route from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for free, with no ticket needed.
“One of MTA’s goals is to be a good, community-minded authority,” said Jami Gaudet, spokesperson for MTA. “We are proud to serve Macon-Bibb County and are happy to offer a day of free service when possible.”
MTA covers the expenses for Fare Free Day. On any other day, fares help pay for essential operational needs like vehicle and facility upkeep, fuel, and staff wages and benefits, according to Gaudet.
This is MTA and Bike Walk Macon’s fourth year hosting the events.
Walking, biking or riding a bus instead of driving a car can have major positive impacts on air quality, according to Umana and the Department of Transportation.
Public transit saved 63 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in 2018, research shows, which is comparable to taking 16 coal power plants offline for a year, according to a DOT report released last summer.
“Car Free Day is a reminder that individual choices really do add up, and that cleaner, healthier cities are possible when we shift how we get around,” Umana said.
Bike Walk Macon partnered with local businesses who “already see the value in safer, more walkable and bikeable streets,” for Car Free Day, Umana said. “It’s good for business and community life.”
The local businesses supporting Car Free Day are ArtSpace Macon, Barks & Brews, Bear’s Books, Biddy’s Chicken, Bike Tech Macon, Churchill’s on Cherry, Macon Bagels, Margaritas Mercer Village, Pretty Lux Candle Co. and Z Beans Coffee.
There will be three meetups on May 30 for those participating in Car Free Day. The first stop is for breakfast at Macon Bagels between 8 and 9 a.m., second stop is for lunch at Margaritas at Mercer Village between 11:40 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and the last stop is at Churchills on Cherry between 5 and 7 p.m.
There will also be a community services fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a Macon celebrity story hour from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday at the Terminal Station, hosted by MTA.
