Ann Arbor District Library and Ypsilanti District Library cardholders have two weekends left to ride any TheRide fixed-route bus for free, no registration required.
The promotion, which began June 13, runs through Sunday, Aug. 30. Riders simply show a valid library card to the driver when boarding on Saturdays and Sundays. The remaining free-ride weekends are Aug. 22–23 and Aug. 29–30.
TheRide announced the final stretch of the program on its X account Aug. 14, reminding cardholders there is still time to take advantage of the benefit. The Ann Arbor District Library has also cross-promoted the offer through its Summer Game blog, encouraging players hunting lawn codes around town to hop a bus between stops.
The free-ride benefit applies only to TheRide's fixed-route service. It does not cover FlexRide or other special services.
This is not a one-year experiment. TheRide ran the same library-card promotion during summer 2024, according to a CEO report from the agency's board meeting that year.
Riders can plan routes at TheRide.org.
Weekend events on the calendar
Several events fall on the remaining free-ride weekends:
- Saturday, Aug. 22: Monster Truck Wars at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds (as we reported Monday, Aug. 17); Parkridge SummerFest and Joe Dulin Community Day, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. at Parkridge Park in Ypsilanti, with more than 70 nonprofits and free health screenings from 30 University of Michigan Health departments.
- Sunday, Aug. 23: Ann Arbor Oddities Bazaar, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. Admission is $2.
- Thursday, Aug. 27: Ann Arbor Local Food Festival, 5–8 p.m. at the Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St. Free and family-friendly. (Note: this is a weekday event and is not covered by the free-ride promotion.)
