The Helena City Commission on Monday approved a contract with the state of Montana that will allow state employees to ride Helena Area Transit Service buses for free in an effort to promote use of public transportation by the city's largest employer.

In addition to giving state workers a free ride on all exisiting fixed routes plus the East Valley service, HATS is proposing an additional commuter route in the mornings and evenings starting on the West side that will stop at downtown offices en route to the Capitol Complex.

That exact route and daily schedule will be determined in meetings with state officials in coming weeks, with a goal of having signs in place and starting the expanded service by mid-July.

Commissioner Paul Cartwright noted that in a number of cities, major employers make deals with public transit to make it easier for workers to take public transportation.

"This was initiated by the state, and it fits in well with a number of other initiatives Gov. Schweitzer has been pushing," Cartwright said. "It marks a new step for us and I'm quite looking forward to seeing how it goes. This is a one-year commitment, and if it goes well, it could be much more."

The one-year deal costs the state $30,000, which includes $15,000 to pay for the increased routes and frequency and $15,000 to cover the cost of state employee rides.

"This will be a great enhancement for state employees, and for Helena as an enhancement of our public transit system," said Commissioner Alan Peura.

Also at Monday evening's meeting, the commission approved renewals of transportation agreements with Rocky Mountain Development Corp. for bus service for senior programs and to the East Valley and East Helena; a new contract with RMDC for Head Start transportation; and with the Downtown Helena Business Improvement District for continuation of trolley service.

Reporter John Harrington: 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com