Public response to Free Fare Fridays, a program designed to introduce more Mainers to the benefits of mass transit, has been strong, increasing ridership around the state.

In particular, officials said, Bangor’s BAT has seen a 43 percent increase.

Since Gov. John Baldacci kicked off the statewide campaign from the Bangor Area Transit “BAT” bus on the Friday after Thanksgiving, ridership in Maine’s largest transit communities has increased an average of 27 percent statewide, and it continues to grow.

“Our goal was to reintroduce Mainers to their local bus service and the commuter options available through the GO Maine Program,” Baldacci said. “In this case, our citizens definitely recognized a good deal when they saw one.”

Commuters also are flocking to the GO Maine Commuter Web site and signing up for car pools.

In the three weeks since the campaign began, Web activity is up 225 percent, with Mainers trying to find car pool partners and vanpool availability.

More than 1,000 new ride matches were attempted and more than 75 new car pools registered during the same time period.

“Through partnering, investment and innovation, we’ve worked hard to build a modern, responsive transit network in our urban communities and seasonal transit systems, with new features including alternative fuel buses, bike racks and express routes,” said Maine Transportation Commissioner David Cole, reacting to the robust ridership numbers. “I’m very excited about the results we’re seeing.”

In late November, with gasoline prices soaring, Baldacci, the state Department of Transportation, the GO Maine Commuter Program and local bus providers teamed to offer Free Fare Fridays.

Every Friday, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, local buses are free. The local bus services encouraged Mainers to take advantage of the low-cost alternative to driving solo, and, if local bus service wasn’t available, to sign up for car pooling or van pooling at GOMaine.org.