Winnipeg Transit, seeking new riders, is offering free parking for commuters who'll drive only part of the way to work.

Scheduled for official launching today, the park-and-ride program lets people park at the IGA store at Main Street and Jefferson Avenue or at the Charleswood Centre Shopping Plaza on Grant Avenue and hop on a bus.

"We are trying to improve the service," Winnipeg Transit director Rick Borland said.

There will be 22 parking stalls at the IGA and 17 at the Charleswood site.

Borland said the concept will appeal to people who don't want the hassle of driving or the expense of finding a downtown parking spot.

Park and ride, common in other cities, is usually associated with rapid transit.

Borland said the two sites were chosen because they are on express bus routes into the downtown are and because local businesses were willing to provide free parking. He said the concept may be expanded if more free parking is available.

Bill O'Leary, co-owner of the IGA store, said his parking lot was so big that he had been allowing people to park there for years.

Maria Fasselt, who works as a legal secretary downtown, said she parked her car at the IGA because it was cheaper than driving into Winnipeg.

"I'll go into the IGA and buy milk," said the St. Andrews' resident, who was met at the parking lot by her 13-year-old son, Marc. "I'll probably spend $40."

Winnipeg Transit ridership has declined by five per cent per year in each of the last two years.

On an average winter day, between 160,000 and 170,000 trips are taken on Winnipeg city buses.