To commemorate the legacy of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will celebrate Transit Equity Day by offering free rides on Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train, Commuter Bus and Mobility services on Wednesday, February 4. Transit Equity Day is celebrated annually on Parks’ birthday and is dedicated to her pivotal role in America’s civil rights movement and equity in public transportation.

“Equitable, accessible and safe public transit is what our riders can expect from the Maryland Department of Transportation every day,” said Maryland Transportation Acting Secretary Katie Thomson. “On Transit Equity Day, we recognize the vital work Rosa Parks started and continue to make transit more affordable, inclusive and sustainable in her honor.”

The nationwide celebration of Transit Equity Day highlights the close connection between public transportation and the civil rights movement. Parks made history on December 1, 1955, when she defied local law and refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated public transit bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest sparked the 13-month-long Montgomery Bus Boycott and legal challenges to segregation law. The Supreme Court ruled segregation on public buses was unconstitutional in November 1956.

“Transit connects riders to opportunity and drives our regional economy forward,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “This is an excellent opportunity for more individuals to experience how easy, safe, and convenient taking transit can be.”

The Maryland Transit Administration encourages riders to use their free ride on February 4 to get anywhere and everywhere they want to go. If you’re new to public transit, welcome aboard and enjoy the ride. Use the website mta.maryland.gov or Transit app to plan your trip.

-via Press Release