BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Getting around downtown and to other hot spots just got a little easier.

Monique Griego has more on the new route on the Charm City Circulator.

Since hitting the streets of Baltimore City just two years ago, more than 5 million people have hopped aboard a Charm City Circulator bus.

“I believe in public transportation very strongly,” said Alan Nurm, Baltimore City resident.

“It’s very, very popular and the demand is there,” said Barry Robinson, Department of Transportation.

Meeting that demand is why Robinson says the mayor announced the city is adding another route for the free and eco-friendly buses to run.

“This is going to provide service from downtown Baltimore to Fort McHenry,” Robinson said.

The banner route will start running on June 4.

Robinson says its goal is to decrease congestion around Fort McHenry while opening up more access to the historic site.

“It’s going to let all of these visitors and, of course, residents as well, enjoy Fort McHenry as we move into the bicentennial celebration,” said John Sarbanes, D-Maryland.

When the circulator buses first hit the road two years ago, city leaders had several goals in mind.

“The objective of the Charm City Circulator is to take vehicles off the streets and reduce pollution in the central business district and actually reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” Robinson said.

The buses already run from West to East Baltimore and through several hot spot areas, including the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Mount Vernon.

For many, Fort McHenry fills in a missing void.

“I think a lot more people will be using public transportation because of that,” Nurm said.

The expansion and new buses were paid for by $1.6 million from the Department of Transportation.