Bus riders in Broome County can now crack open a book while waiting to get off at their stop.

County Executive Jason Garnar was at the Hinchey Hub bus station in downtown Binghamton Monday afternoon to announce the launch of the Ride and Read program.

Each BC Transit bus will have a bin of 25 to 30 books that riders can help themselves to, even taking them home to read and share.

Transit Commissioner Greg Kilmer says each collection will have a mix of children’s books, books for teens and older readers, fiction books, and non-fiction books, in a variety of subjects.

“We are so enamored with our electronic devices and they’re truly amazing.  But, there’s something special about having a paper hardcover book.  Books have withstood the test of time and I think they always will.  A lot of us think about our Summer read.  I can’t think of one more fundamental skill that helps aid success as we move through society than reading,” said Kilmer.

The books are being donated by libraries across Broome County with the help of the Four County Library System.

Kilmer says borrowers can return the books to the buses or to one of the libraries.

Anyone who would like to donate books can do so at the libraries where they’ll be sorted and labeled to go on the buses.