AUGUSTA – More Mainers are taking the bus.

The state last month launched a program called “Free Fare Fridays” that lets commuters take local transit buses for free across the state from York to Aroostook counties.

According to the Department of Transportation, ridership on those buses has risen an average of 27 percent on Fridays since the program was launched. The program continues every Friday through the end of the year.

Officials say there also has been a surge in the number of people going to the “GoMaine Commuter Connections” Web site and signing up for car pools.