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from PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Editors: P-Rides shuttle information available at: http://www.princeton.edu/pr/visitors/shuttles.shtml Princeton adds new shuttle line for eastern region of campusPRINCETON, N.J. -- Princeton University has introduced a new P-Rides shuttle line that will serve the campus community including visitors to the University. The free shuttle service, which covers the eastern region of campus, began operation on Monday, Nov. 17. "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. A kick-off celebration was held at 3:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 21 near Jadwin Gymnasium. Participants included area business leaders, local government and regional transportation officials along with members of the University community. The new P-Rides shuttle will ferry passengers from Lot 21 to Washington
Road stops serving the South Campus and Prospect Avenue 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. Free refreshments
will be available to morning riders during the shuttle's first two weeks
of service. "Ford Motor Company is pleased to be a partner with Princeton, BP and the other organizations in this effort to help ease traffic congestion and improve the environment," said Martin B. Zimmerman, group vice president, corporate affairs, for Ford. "These two 21-passenger Econoline vans operate on clean compressed natural gas. Ford has been a leader in producing environmentally friendly alternative fuel vehicles for many years, and we are proud to see our products transporting the people of this beautiful community," Zimmerman said. 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 line 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, which currently provides drivers for P-Rides graduate shuttles. "We have had tremendous success with our P-Rides graduate student shuttle during its inaugural year," Kalmbach said. "Today, that shuttle line transports 800 to 850 passengers a day between the Graduate College, the graduate student apartments and the main campus." Princeton Borough and Township municipal 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 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 transportation mobility advocate in the region. While easing traffic will improve the environment, the alternative fuel vehicles donated by Ford also will contribute to reducing pollutants. 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 the Ford gift, should enable Princeton to expand the use of natural gas to more vehicles in its campus fleet in the future. "BP has long been a leader in providing cleaner mobility fuels in the United States, and globally, and is happy to support Princeton, Ford and others in providing cleaner mobility for the Princeton campus, " said Thomas J. Bond, vice president, BP Global Fuels Technology. "At this time clean natural gas is a good choice for the Princeton shuttle program. BP participates with Princeton on several technical studies and we are proud to assist in providing natural gas for the program." |