NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville-area public transit will be free on Black Friday.

The free rides go on all day on the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee buses and the Music City Star regional train.

MTA and RTA CEO Paul Ballard said in a news release the Fareless Friday promotion is a way of introducing new riders to public transit and showing appreciation to loyal customers who already ride.

People in surrounding cities like Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Clarksville, Springfield, Franklin, Brentwood, Gallatin and Spring Hill can ride the RTA express buses to Nashville's downtown transit center. From there, they can board local buses to any of several Nashville malls and shopping areas.

Schedule information is available at 862-5950, www.nashvillemta.org or www.musiccitystar.org.