The county is launching a free bus route in and around the heart of Lahaina starting tomorrow.

The Lahaina Villager (Route 23) will make a continuous loop through town, including stops at Lahainaluna Road, the Lahaina Aquatics Center and the town civic center.

The route will operate from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

County officials said they worked with the Lahaina Bypass Now community group to develop the new service in an effort to help relieve traffic and parking congestion in the historic town.

Also starting tomorrow, the Maui Bus will expand service on the Upcountry Islander and Ha'iku Islander routes, operating every 90 minutes instead of every three hours.

The Upcountry Islander will begin at 6 a.m. from the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, with the last departure from the center at 9 p.m. The Ha'iku Islander will begin at 5:30 a.m. from the center, with the last departure at 8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Maui Bus operator Roberts Hawaii at 871-4838, or the county Department of Transportation at 270-7511. Bus schedule information also is available at www.mauicounty.gov/bus.