It could be more difficult for Whitehorse Transit riders to catch a lift next month during the less busy hours of the day.

To help make sure passengers on all routes can access the system during peak hours from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays numerous small changes were made to the off-peak schedule. Transit manager Dave Muir said some tweaks were made to the off-peak schedule.

The changes will come into effect on July 1, though most transit users might not notice them until July 4, the Monday following the long Canada Day weekend, Muir said in an interview Wednesday.

While the peak service runs on a 35-minute schedule, non-peak hours see buses running on a 70-minute schedule.

The new schedule will see an 8:35 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. pickup added to the McIntyre/Granger route; an 8:35 a.m., 4:10 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. schedule added to the Hillcrest/Lobird route; a 4:10 p.m. schedule set for the Porter Creek/Ponderosa Drive route; and an 8:35 and 4:10 p.m. schedule added to the Porter Creek/Crestview route.

In looking at the changes to the off-peak schedule, Muir said he's hopeful those using the bus at that time can readjust to the changes.

Most people riding the transit system use it to get to work or school during peak hours. When the scheduling committee looked at the potential changes to accommodate better peak service, Muir said, there are generally two to four riders impacted by the changes on the routes during off-peak hours.

So far, the heavily-advertised changes haven't rendered a lot of reaction, Muir said, acknowledging it's often after the initiative has taken place that riders react.

Those who have commented seem to be happy that there will be better service during peak hours.

But for those who want to catch a 9:10 a.m. bus, it could mean waiting until 9:45 a.m. or leaving on an earlier route.

'The bottom line is there'll be full service during peak hours,' Muir said.

After the July 1 changes take effect, data on the numbers using the service will continue to be collected as well as the information the Transit Task Force is gathering through a survey on potential ridership.

That information will be used when the city considers the 2006 budget.

In the meantime, if the numbers of riders using the free public transit on Clean Air Day earlier this month are an indication, more residents are making use of the service.

This year saw 1,716 residents take advantage of the promotion, a total of 206 over last year's 1,510 passengers who took the bus on Clean Air Day.

'The trend is very positive for transit as it demonstrates that our average ridership is increasing,' reads the administrative report presented to council Monday night.

Clean Air Day also saw 350 people head to city hall for the annual pancake breakfast.