New shuttle line serves eastern region of campusBy Patricia Allen Princeton NJ -- The University will introduce a new P-Rides shuttle line that will serve the campus community, including visitors to the University. The free shuttle service, for the eastern region of campus, will begin operation on Monday, Nov. 17.
A kick-off celebration will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 21 near Jadwin Gymnasium. Participants will include area business leaders and local government and regional transportation officials along with members of the University community. The new shuttle will ferry passengers from Lot 21 to stops on Washington Road serving the South Campus and Prospect Street area. The bus will turn right on William Street to service the North Campus/Firestone area and then will turn onto Olden Street for service to the Engineering Quadrangle before traveling back to Lot 21. The shuttles will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., every five minutes during peak hours and every 10 minutes during off-peak hours, Monday through Friday. Refreshments will be available to morning riders during the shuttle's first two weeks. The service was established through a collaboration of the University, corporations, a regional transportation agency, local governments and an area business. The Ford Motor Co. and BP PLC joined forces to donate two environmentally friendly natural gas buses for the new route and several years' supply of the alternative fuel for the vehicles.
"We know this new service will be embraced by both the University and local community since it will reduce parking on municipal streets and ease traffic congestion," said Charles Kalmbach, the University's senior vice president for administration. "We have had tremendous success with our graduate student shuttle, known as P-Rides, during its inaugural year. Today, that shuttle line transports 800 to 850 passengers a day between the Graduate College, graduate student apartments and the main campus." The Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (GMTMA) played a crucial role in launching the new line. The non-profit organization assists large employers in implementing shuttle programs. GMTMA helped the University sketch out the shuttle's travel route. The association will continue to help by disseminating information about the service and maintaining rider statistics, Kalmbach said. "We have developed a strong partnership with Princeton University," said Sandra Brillhart, executive director of the GMTMA. "This newest shuttle service is another demonstration of the University's commitment to addressing parking and transportation concerns for its employees and the community." In addition to teaming with local officials and corporate donors, the University is contracting drivers from A-1 Limousine, based in West Windsor. The University currently employs A-1 Limousine drivers for the graduate student shuttles. Princeton Borough and Township officials have been very supportive of the University's expanded shuttle system, according to Kalmbach. "We are pleased that the graduate student shuttle has been so successful and hope that the University's faculty, staff and visitors will be as committed to using the new system as the graduate students have been committed to using P-Rides," said Princeton Borough Mayor Marvin Reed, also known for his work as a public transportation advocate in the region. While easing traffic will improve the environment, the alternative fuel vehicles donated by Ford also will contribute to reducing pollutants, Kalmbach said. According to researchers, natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, producing significantly less carbon dioxide and pollutants than gasoline or diesel fuel. A natural gas fueling facility recently installed at the University through a gift from BP will enable Princeton to expand the use of natural gas to more vehicles in its campus fleet in the future. |
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