CLARKSTON - Hop on a bus and save yourself some time and money.

Asotin County Public Transportation Benefit Area is working to make rides even more efficient.

"What we are doing is going down from a one hour schedule to a 30 minute schedule," said PTBA Route Maintenance Coordinator Greg Gill. "We will still be servicing Lewiston, Asotin and the Heights on a one hour schedule, but what we are doing is getting people off the buses a lot quicker."

Gill said he rides the bus a lot nowadays, explaining the improved system to passengers.

"So people are spending 50 minutes on the bus and what we want to do is cut those times down to increase ridership and especially with the new Wal-Mart superstore going in we are going to be able to transport people to and from just a lot quicker," said Gill.

Gill said ridership numbers have been the same for quite a while and with new routes, they are planning on more riders.

"We are working on bus stops, shelter and benches," said Gill. "We are also adding new buses which is going to make a big difference and will be more comfortable for the riders."

Gill said that three new buses are scheduled to arrive by the end of summer.

"Instead of being the big Gillig bus, they will be the smaller cutaways which should be a lot more economical for Asotin County to run," said Gill.

To learn more about bus schedules, cost calculators and vanpools visit PTBA's website at www.asotincoptba.com