POWELL (WCMH) — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) are offering COTA’s Zoo Bus riders free COTA fares and free Zoo admission on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7.

It’s a deal Debbie Allen and her niece couldn’t pass up.

“I just like seeing all the animals and seeing what is new out there,” Allen said.

Zoo bus riders packed the bus stop on High Street at the Statehouse to hop on the bus. For some of these folks it will be their first time experiencing the Columbus Zoo.

“I heard about it on TV that it is free and since I have never been I wanted to go. So I was up at 6 o’clock to get ready,” said Toya Bangore.

“I’m super excited that I might get to see my favorite animal,” said Madison Dodge, who was also on the bus.

Zoo Bus riders will receive a ticket for free admission from the bus operator. The ticket will only be valid for the day of the ride.

Riders can board at the Statehouse Downtown stop (located on High Street between State Street and Broad Street) or leave their cars at the Griggs Dam Park & Ride (located at Riverside Drive & Nottingham Road) to avoid paying for parking downtown.

Lisa Myers is the Public and Media Relations Manager for COTA and said their bus operators will watch crowds to see if more buses and they have them on standby.

“We’ve been talking with our operations and transportation staff to talk about how to keep an eye on this, make sure we have an extra bus if we need one,” she said. “So, we will be keeping an eye on ridership if we get an overwhelming amount of people, we’ll make sure we get another bus out there and get people to the zoo.”