Free rides no more in Northern Virginia

NORTHERN VA. - Until now, Code Red air quality days meant a free bus ride for those in Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland.

The idea was to help cut down on emissions, between May 1 and mid-September.

But now, those in Northern Virginia will no longer have that luxury.

Transportation leaders say the program costs $80,000 to $100,000 every time a bad air quality day hits. It costs Northern Virginia over $2.5 million a year.

What may be more troubling, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission says people actually took advantage of the program.

Ridership on buses jumped four to eight percent, which helped cut down on vehicle emissions.

The Transportation Commission says the change is due to a lack of federal funds.

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