Bellflower : 5,000 Ride New Bus Line

More than 5,000 riders have boarded the city’s new bus system since it started Nov. 4, officials reported Monday.

The system, known as The Bus, is financed with Proposition A funds, the half-cent county sales tax for transit projects that took effect three years ago.

The city operates four 18-passenger buses that make 117 stops along their routes and run Monday through Saturday.

The regular fare is 25 cents, but children under 10, when accompanied by an adult, ride for free. For 10 cents, riders can buy transfers to other bus lines, including the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Long Beach Transit systems.

Since 1982 the city has received more than $1.8 million in transit funds. Officials estimate that it will take $370,000 a year to operate The Bus system.