CHOCTAW AND PHILADELPHIA , Miss. - ( January 31, 2005 ) - Choctaw and Philadelphia communities will have an easier way to ride with The Zip Public Transit, when it officially drives into town on February 22, 2005 . A ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the maiden ride of The Zip, will take place at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon with festivities set for the south side of the square.

The Zip, a rural public transportation system created in partnership with Community Development Partnership, Misssissippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Mississippi Department of Transportation, offers safe, affordable and reliable transportation to locals and visitors and during the week of February 14-19, The Zip will offer unlimited free rides.

The Zip, stopping at seven ZipZones, or bus stops, including Pearl River Resort, Williams Bros, Inc., Canal Place Shopping Center, Wal-Mart Supercenter, The Citizens Bank, Jerome Tank Season 2 Season and The Coffee Bean, will operate Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. One-way fares are $1 and can be paid to the bus driver. Advanced tickets or group rate information can be obtained by calling The Zip office at 601.650.7466 or by clicking here.

Merchants can also cash in with prime advertising space on The Zip. The Zip will provide traveling billboard space as well as ad space in the bus. Several levels in advertising packages are available. Call (601) 656-1000 to reserve ad space.

Future plans for The Zip include additional routes during high seasonal traffic including stops at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds, Choctaw Indian Fairgrounds and Geyser Falls Water Theme Park as well as expanding lines into neighboring counties.