Is there value in having a bus running daily on San Juan Island in the summertime? If so, where would you go and what would you do?

The answers to those questions could win you a free pass onboard the Scenic Byway Explorer Bus this summer.

Winners of San Juan Island Scenic Byway Partnership’s essay contest will each receive a free summer pass onboard the Explorer Bus, which will run daily, beginning May 17, through Sept. 15. Free passes will be given to the best four essayists, as determined by members of the Partnership.

Contestants can enter by submitting an essay of no more than 250 words to the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, at, sjiscenicbyway@gmail.com. Contest deadline is June 3.

The goal of the Scenic Byway Explorer Bus project, funded in part by the National Scenic Byway Program, is to help reduce congestion on local roads and onboard Washington State Ferries’ sailings in the San Juans. The project encourages visitors to leave their vehicles on the mainland (saving money by doing so) and explore the islands while someone else does the driving.

Bus riders can also receive a 2-for-1 Byway Explorer Pass, good for a day of exploring on Orcas or San Juan islands, by filling out a brief survey at the Scenic Byway homepage on the Chamber of Commerce website, www.visitsanjuans.com/scenicbyway. The Explorer Bus schedules and routes are available at San Juan Transit website, www.sanjuantransit.com. For info, contact Liz Illg, Scenic Byway Project coordinator, 360-378-6104.