iPod touch give-aways aim to spark new interest in free-ride program
RIVERSIDE, CA — September, 24, 2007 — This week, thousands of students returning to class at University of California at Riverside will ride the bus for free and get the chance to win Apples’ newest iPod, according to a new partnership between the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) and the University of California at Riverside (UCR).
In an effort to promote public transit at the university, RTA will raffl e away an iPod touch every month to students who ride the bus. The 16 GB iPod is the world’s first iPod with built-in Wi-Fi and can access the Internet and buy music wirelessly. It’s capable of holding up to 3,500 songs, up to 20,000 photos, up to 20 hours of video, or some of each.
The free-ride program, called the U-Pass, enters its second academic year at the college. Students qualify for free rides by swiping their identification cards through the bus farebox when they board. When students ride, their names will be entered into a monthly raffl e for a free iPod. The fi rst iPod will be given away at the UCR’s annual block party this week.
A new report shows nearly 2,900 students used the U-Pass program last year, which is roughly 17 percent of the school’s population. Officials are hopeful that the free rides, not to mention the iPod give-aways, will prompt more students to try the bus.
“We’re hoping to keep the momentum going,” said RTA Chairman Frank Hall. “The free rides are an incredible incentive for students to try public transit.”
Another feature of the RTA-UCR partnership was the introduction of a new trolley route to serve students living in nearby apartment communities. When the school year ended last June, the Crest Cruiser trolley was carrying an average of 2,100 passengers a month. Both the U-Pass program and the trolley are funded by the university.
Over the short term, Riverside officials are hopeful that the free rides will ease traffic and encourage ridesharing. But over the long term, the program has the potential to expand to other campuses and turn more students into lifelong users of public transit.
“Riverside is a university community and the U-Pass system is a wonderful partnership between the Riverside Transit Agency and the University of California Riverside that improves both transportation and the environment,” said Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge. “I look forward to seeing the U-Pass system expand to other campuses throughout the city.”
The Riverside Transit Agency provides public transportation for Western Riverside County, operating 39 fixed routes, five commuter routes and 15 demand response services. RTA’s service area spans 2,500 square miles, the second-largest in the nation. For bus route and schedule information contact RTA at (800) 800-7821 or log on to our Web site at www.RiversideTransit.com. |
