Monday marked the first day for a new collaboration between the city and university bus systems.

Kansas University students now can ride the city’s T buses for free by showing a valid student ID. City residents who have a T bus pass will be able to ride the university’s buses for free as well. Riders with a valid T transfer slip also will be able to ride the KU bus system for free.

The new system is part of an agreement between the city and university that marks what both sides hope is the first step toward merging the two bus systems.

Earlier this summer, both KU and city leaders approved a letter of intent to merge the two systems by mid-2009, but the merger is contingent upon the city finding funding for the city’s share of the system.

Voters on Nov. 4 will be asked to approve two citywide sales taxes to provide city funding for the transit system.