The Clallam Transit System board on Oct. 18 unanimously approved a one-year pilot program that would eliminate fares on fixed routes starting Jan. 1, 2024.

The zero-fare program will apply to buses operating on predetermined routes and schedules, Clallam Connect, Interlink and Dial a Ride.

The Strait Shot to the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal and the Hurricane Ridge Shuttle are not included in the zero-fare program. However, veterans with a CTS ID card and passengers younger than 18 will continue to be able to ride for free on those routes.

The board tasked CTS staff at its September meeting with creating a plan to implement a zero-fare program to encourage more people to take public transit. Staff will provide quarterly reports to the board on ridership trends and comparisons to past years.

About 4 percent of CTS revenues come from fares.

The zero-fare program will be funded with a $1.9 million 2023-2025 Move Ahead Washington grant from the state Department of Transportation.

CTS will begin rolling out public outreach Nov. 1 with notices in CTS vehicles, on its website and on social media, in KONP traffic update announcements and notifications when customers call CTS.

There are eight zero-fare transit systems in the state.