PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Massachusetts residents can save some money this month on bus fares as some regional transit authorities are running “Try Transit” programs.

The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority started running their “Try Transit” program back on November 25 and it will continue through December 31 with the goal of getting 55,000 riders by New Year’s Eve. Now, nearly two weeks into the program, they said it’s been off to a good start.

“Currently we have been trending about 20 to 22% above last year’s ridership,” BRTA administrator Robert Malnati said.

Malnati said ridership numbers were around 30,000 for December 2021. While Worcester buses voted to go fare free until June 2023, the BRTA and others like Pioneer Valley are able to run “Try Transit” this month thanks to a $2.5 million grant from the state.

“It was a way to allow folks that are feeling the economic pressures of inflation," Malnati said. "Also, to attract new people that hadn’t tried it before.”

As “Try Transit” aims to attract new riders, people who ride the buses regularly said they’re loving it.

“It’s nice,” Briana Mongeon said.

“Especially when we transfer back and forth so much, you know," Sonya Mongeon said. "Between me coming here to see the grandbabies and her coming up with the grandbabies to stay at my house in Adams.”

Briana Mongeon and her mom Sonya said the free fares are really helping around the holidays and they’re able to visit each other more this month.

“Long commutes, it would usually be like four or five bucks," Briana said. "But when it’s free, you don’t have to pay anything and I love it.”

The BRTA said their drivers are noticing more people on their routes. Some are seeing numbers they haven’t had in years.

“There’s starting to be some routes that are standing room," Malnati said. "Which one operator said, "Heck that’s what it was 20 years ago when we transported over 50,000 to 60,000 people a month.'”

The BRTA is cautiously optimistic about hitting their 55,000-rider goal, saying there tends to be less riders toward the end of the month. In regards to possibly going fare free full time or doing another “Try Transit” month, Malnati said right now they’re waiting to see the results from this month.