From July 10 through July 31, Dowagiac Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART) is offering free rides from Cedar Sands Apartments and Chestnut Towers to Front Street Crossing (COA) downtown.

Scheduled pick up/drop off times are listed:

• 9 a.m. — pick up at Cedar Sands, proceed to Chestnut Towers, drop off by Front Street Crossing.

• 11 a.m. — Pick up at Front Street Crossing, drop off/pick up at Chestnut Towers and Cedar Sands, drop off at Front Street Crossing.

• 1 p.m. — Pick up at Front Street Crossing, drop off/pick up at Chestnut Towers and Cedar Sands, drop off at Front Street Crossing.

• 3 p.m. — Pick up at Front Street Crossing, drop off/pick up at Chestnut Towers and Cedar Sands.

“You do not need to be a resident of Cedar Sands Apartments or Chestnut Towers to participate in this public transportation promotion,” Transportation Coordinator Rozanne Scherr said Friday. “Interested residents who live nearby are encouraged to meet in front of the apartment complex at the designated times and ride to downtown Dowagiac.”

The goal of this promotion is to bring people into the downtown to enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch at one of the restaurants, or enjoy shopping at one of the downtown shops.

The drop off point between Front Street Crossing and City Hall provides a convenient location to access all areas downtown, including City Hall, utility payments, banking, the post office, shopping and restaurants.

“Walking is one of the healthiest forms of exercise, so we encourage those who are able to take a walk through the downtown and enjoy the amenities,” Scherr said.

Regular hours of operation for Dowagiac DART are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fare information is available by calling 782-3300 or on the city website at www.cityofdowagiac.com under the City Departments and Services tab.