From Commute PA
BARTA, Lebanon Transit, rabbittransit, and Red Rose Transit, along with Commute PA and Representative Smith-Wade-El, gathered on Thursday, Oct. 1, with community leaders at a press conference to kick off Week Without Driving 2026 and encourage residents across the region to give public transportation a try.
From Oct. 1 through Oct. 8, 2026, BARTA and Red Rose Transit will offer 20% off adult 31-day passes. During the same eight-day period, rabbittransit will offer 20% off all bus passes purchased through a rabbitPAY account. Lebanon Transit will offer $1 single rides, with each rider’s first ride free.
The special fares are being offered in recognition of Week Without Driving, a national initiative that encourages those who are able to drive to consider other ways of getting around, including walking, biking, carpooling, and public transportation.
With transportation costs placing added pressure on household budgets, participating agencies are using the week as an opportunity to make trying transit more affordable and highlight how public transportation can help residents reach work, healthcare, shopping, and other essential destinations while staying connected to their communities.
“We serve a lot of folks who live that every day,” said Richard Farr, Executive Director of rabbittransit. “That’s their reality; how they get to the doctors, how they get to work, how they meet their neighbors, how they interact with their loved ones. It’s because there’s public transportation in our community. We want you to think differently about your commute. We want you to try transit.”
Week Without Driving also calls attention to the role transportation choices play in creating connected, accessible communities. While some residents may choose to leave their cars at home for the week, many people navigate their communities without driving every day and depend on transportation options that allow them to participate fully in work, healthcare, and community life.
“It’s exciting to be part of this celebration to try to invite people to get out of their car, get onto the bus, get on their bike, walk around, all around South Central PA. RRTA serves thousands of my constituents in the 49th Legislative District, and in fact all over Lancaster County,” said Rep. Smith-Wade-El. “I invite anybody watching this to hop on one of these transit agencies. They are so proud to serve you.”
“Commute PA is excited to join our transit agency partners in encouraging residents to experience a Week Without Driving. We know that many people are interested in trying transit but worry about what would happen if an emergency arose and they couldn’t get home using their normal transportation option,” shared Matt Boyer, Commute PA Executive Director. “Through Commute PA’s Emergency Ride Home Program, eligible commuters can be reimbursed for the cost of a ride home when unexpected situations occur. It’s one more way we’re helping make alternative transportation a practical and reliable choice.”
Christina Leslie, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability & Operational Efficiency for Eurofins, spoke at Thursday’s press conference, saying, “As one of the largest employers in Lancaster County, Eurofins definitely values the public transportation and carpool matching services that we can promote to our employees. Having these types of services not only provide equitable opportunities for those without personal vehicles to commute to work, but it does help to reduce the traffic congestion in the area as Lancaster County continues to grow.” Eurofins employs just over 3,000 at its Lancaster campus, which is located on New Holland Pike in Upper Leacock Township. She explained, “For the 10 to 15 past years, we’ve partnered with Red Rose Transit Authority and Commute PA to help facilitate those options for our employees. We offer monthly subsidized bus passes. And we have a bus stop at our facility. And at any given time, we have numerous employees who are taking advantage of that incentive.”
In addition, York bus rider Sherry O’Berry shared her experience using rabbitEXPRESS commuter service, and the difference affordable, reliable transit makes in her daily life.
“All I had to think about was getting to my job safely. And I’m so grateful and so thankful. I tell the bus drivers all the time. They have so much responsibility, and they’re accountable, they’re conscientious, they’re competent. So I’m so grateful I can trust people like them,” said O’Berry.
Week Without Driving and the participating agencies’ promotional fares continue through Oct. 8, 2026. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the special fares, try a transit trip, and consider how public transportation, or another alternative to driving, could become part of their regular transportation routine.
For information about promotional fares, routes and schedules, visit the participating transit systems’ websites.
About Commute PA
1-866-579-RIDE, CommutePA.org
Funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration through PennDOT and the region’s metropolitan planning organizations.
Commute PA is a program of the non-profit Susquehanna Regional Transportation Partnership, whose board includes:
- Lebanon Transit, South Central Transit Authority (BARTA and RRTA), and Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority (rabbittransit).
- Adams, Franklin, Harrisburg (Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties), Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading, and York MPOs.
- The Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC; Greater Chambersburg and Lebanon Valley Chambers of Commerce; Greater Reading Chamber Alliance; Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry; The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County; and the York County Economic Alliance.
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