Denise Ensley wants first-timers on Topeka Metro’s buses to be comfortable.

Ensley, interim general manager for the Metro, said some people are hesitant to hop into public transportation.

"People who have never used the bus, sometimes they are intimidated by it," she said.

Thursday was an opportunity for first-timers to break down that barrier without monetary investment.

Fixed-route passengers on Thursday were allowed to ride free all day. Passengers requiring lift service were allowed three free trips. Additional trips cost them the normal $4 fare.

The promotion was part of a national campaign encouraging people to "dump the pump" and give public transportation a spin.

Ensley said her hope was that given added incentive, people who haven’t ridden on a Topeka Metro bus hop on when fares are free to check it out. She thinks hesitation about using public transportation would be eased once people saw how clean and safe the buses are, and how friendly and helpful the operators are.

"They would be pleased by that," Ensley said.

According to information provided by Topeka Metro, an American Public Transportation Association report indicates individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $10,000 annually by downsizing to one vehicle.

The promotion is a national event which began in June 2006 when gas prices had reached $3 a gallon. The national day, in its seventh year, encourages people to hop on public transportation and forego driving their own vehicles to save money.

A handful of customers were outside at the Quincy Street Station awaiting bus service at the beginning of the noon hour.

Erik McAleese, 21, said he moved to Topeka recently from Lawrence. He only found out about the promotion that day. He was prepared for a walk, which he prefers when the temperature isn’t too high, when he decided to take advantage of the free service.

He said he enjoys using Topeka Metro because the buses keep to schedule unlike others in the state.

"It’s a lot better than the rest of the metros I’ve been to in Kansas," McAleese said.

Terry Snyder, 47, who is a frequent rider, said he depends on the service because he doesn’t have a vehicle.

"I wish they had Sunday services, but I understand it’s not feasible with their monetary situation," he said.