LIHU'E – A free bus program for Kauai County employee's that is set to begin Monday has been met with much enthusiasm, Kauai officials said.

Approximately 180 people signed up this week for the county's free bus pass program, which will end automatically at the end of seven months.

"The response has been great. We've had employees in nearly every department sign up for the program," said Janine Rapozo, executive on transportation. "When the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste came up with idea for the program, I believe his intent was to have the county serve as a role model.

"He had hoped that after seeing a lot of county employees riding The Kaua'i Bus, local businesses would actively encourage their employees to ride the bus or possibly offer it as an incentive," Rapozo said.

Noting the benefits of the county bus program, Rapozo said that it will reduce the number of cars on the roads and the amount of air pollution caused by the cars as well as free-up parking at the Lihu'e Civic Center.

Ideally, county personnel who participate in the pilot program will find that it suits their lifestyle and will continue to ride the bus after the program ends, added Rapozo.

Bus passes are $15 a month and it entitle riders to travel anywhere on the island that The Kaua'i Bus goes.

For the mainline routes, individual fares are $1.50 for adults, while seniors and children ages 7 to 18 pay 75 cents for one-way travel. Children 6 and under ride free when accompanied by an adult.

Fares for the shuttle routes are less – 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for seniors and children ages 7 to 18.

The Kaua'i Bus operates Monday through Friday, from 5:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. On Saturdays and most holidays, it runs on a reduced schedule.

No bus service is offered on Sundays and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Brochures listing bus routes are available on all county buses and at a number of businesses around the island including Big Save, Kukui Grove Center and Safeway.

For more information about The Kaua'i Bus, please call 241-6410 or log on to the county website, www.kauai.gov.