Lewiston-Auburn citylink and Western Maine Transportation Services, among others in the state, will again offer Free Fare Fridays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 26.

The promotion, which provides a free introduction to mass transit in Maine, is returning for a third time after successes last summer and during the 2007 holiday season, with bus ridership increasing by up to 38 percent on the state’s largest bus services.

“Public transit is helping people cope during these difficult economic times,” Gov. John Baldacci said. “This promotion is making a big difference for home budgets that are stretched and for people who may be struggling to meet transportation needs.”

Free Fare Fridays is a partnership between MaineDOT, the GO MAINE commuter program and local bus providers.

During previous Free Fare Friday campaigns, ridership on the South Portland Bus and Greater Portland METRO services were up significantly. In July, citylink in Lewiston-Auburn saw a 38 percent increase. The Biddeford-Saco-OOB ShuttleBus and ZOOM had hundreds of new riders, while Bangor’s BAT experienced an increase of more than 10 percent.

“People have tried public transit and continue to use it,” Baldacci said.

In addition to the upsurge in transit riders, commuters are also flocking to the GO MAINE commuter Web site. Since the beginning of 2008, the site has received more than 1 million hits as Mainers try to find car pool partners and van pool availability. The GO MAINE commuter database has grown by more than 100 percent since the beginning of the year.

For more information about Free Fare Fridays and the GO MAINE commuter assistance program, call 1-800-280-RIDE or visit www.gomaine.org.