The city's public bus system, the Durham Area Transit Authority, will offer a bunch of rider perks next week, starting with free fare on Monday. Other events include free ice cream and chicken sandwiches.

It's all part of "Try Transit Week," to encourage public transportation, reduce congestion and carbon emissions, according to a city news release.

The release says Monday's promotion is in honor of "International Car Free Day." Here's the full schedule:

• Monday is Fare Free Day in Durham on all DATA buses.

• Tuesday is Customer Appreciation Day, and DATA will give away ice cream and bike and pedestrian blinking lights beginning at 3 p.m. at the DATA Transfer Facility at 521 Morgan St. The offer is good while supplies last.

Orange County Commissioners Chairman Barry Jacobs took an item off the consent agenda during Tuesday's meeting specifically to vote against it. It was an authorization for Orange Public Transportation to do business as "The Orange Bus."

He doesn't like the name, he said.

 "I think this is unbearably precious to call it The Orange Bus," Jacobs said. "I like OPT just fine."

 The item (.pdf) passed.

With the change, OPT will be painting its buses burnt orange, and changing its Web site and other materials.