Santa Maria Regional Transit is offering free rides on all SMRT routes for the first two weeks of the new school year from Monday, August 10 through Friday, August 21. SMRT officials say the promotion is designed to ease the back-to-school transition for families juggling school drop-offs and daily commutes. Allan Hancock Community College students ride free all year. Passes can be purchased at the SMRT Transit Center and at many school locations. For more information, visit www.rideSMRT.org.