The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) will be extending its free bus ride program, thanks to funds appropriated by the state legislature. VTA Administrator Angie Gompert said the agency has the funds to continue the ‘fare free’ program, which eliminated fares for all VTA services last November, through at least April 2026. Ms. Gompert said ridership soared this year, which she attributed to a combination of the fare free program and tourism for the Jaws anniversary. “I think fare free had a huge part to do with that, for sure,” she said. She hopes the fare free program will encourage more people to travel the Island by bus, whether they are year-round Islanders or visiting for the weekend.