VALPARAISO | Area residents planning to ride the ChicaGo Dash on Saturdays during the holidays now have an added bonus: Kids ride free.

Each child 12 and under accompanied by a fare-paying adult will be allowed to ride free on the Dash's Chicago Cultural Express, which runs Saturdays through Dec. 27. There is a limit of one free fare per adult, and reservations are required for adults traveling with children.

"There are so many great things for families to do in Chicago at this time of year, and we wanted to support these special moments," Mayor Jon Costas said. "ChicaGo Dash provides an easy way to enjoy the season without worrying about traffic or parking."

The Saturday Dash bus leaves Valparaiso's Village Station, at the Franklin House at Lincolnway and Campbell Street, at 9 a.m. and makes three stops in downtown Chicago at the Museum Campus near the Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park and Water Tower Place. The return trip departs the Museum Campus at 5 p.m. and goes to the other two sites before returning to Valparaiso, arriving about 7 p.m.

Tickets are $7.50 and parking is free. Seats can be reserved online at www.chicagodash.com. Available tickets can also be bought from the kiosk at Village Station 30 minutes before departure.

The weekday service provides two daily departures from Village Station at 5:45 and 6:15 a.m. Buses are equipped with plush reclining seats, Wi-Fi Internet service, satellite TV and restrooms.