Summerside is getting a new bus service. (CBC) (CBC)

The City of Summerside recently announced a one-year transit pilot project, giving commuters in Summerside a new way to travel on Tuesday.

The new mini-buses will run a single route through the city from Slemon Park down to the waterfront before ending at Reads Corner.

Mayor Basil Stewart said council had discussed implementing a bus service for some time.

"Council decided they would support the pilot project for a year to see how it works out, and we're moving on from here," he said.

The city is giving Trius Transit, the bus operator, $2,500 a month for the service.

If enough passengers use the service this summer the buses could become a permanent fixture in Summerside.

"I am hoping that we'll see a minimum of 300 passenger fares per day in our city of Summerside," said Mike Cassidy, owner of Trius Transit.

Trius will start monitoring ridership in September.

His company already offers a bus service in Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall and runs a route between Summerside and Charlottetown.

Business owners are hoping the route will bring more customers to their stores.

Grant Moase, owner of Quality Jewellers, said he's excited about the new service.

"There's going to be a certain amount of people uptown that will certainly want to come downtown. There's some in the downtown area that are going to grab the bus and run uptown for a price check," he said.

There are no bus stops in Summerside, so residents will have to flag down the bus to catch a ride.

The service will run weekdays and cost $2 a ride.