More than 33,000 students signed up for free NJ TRANSIT Rides

February 2, 2006
NJT-06-011
Contact: Dan Stessel (973) 491-7078

NEWARK, NJ — So far this week, more than 33,000 students have taken advantage of NJ TRANSIT’s free ride offer for college and post secondary students, the Corporation announced today.

From January 30 through February 5, 2006, NJ TRANSIT is giving students the week of free travel to show them how convenient and simple using New Jersey’s public transportation system can be.

"This successful weeklong promotion is taking cars off the road while building the next generation of NJ TRANSIT customers," said NJ TRANSIT Assistant Executive Director Lynn Bowersox.

Taking full advantage of the promotion, students at Seton Hall University have organized several outings on NJ TRANSIT this week, including an outdoor photography contest, a movie in Hoboken, a museum exhibit and a group historical tour of Central Park.

During the free week, college and post-secondary students can ride any NJ TRANSIT bus, rail or light rail line for free simply by presenting their student ID and a Free Ride coupon available at www.njtransit.com.

The trial also promotes the benefits of NJ TRANSIT’s online Student Pass program, which provides a 25-percent discount to fulltime students who attend participating colleges. With Student Pass, students simply log on to their university’s Intranet, click on the link to NJ TRANSIT’s monthly pass student discount and enter the requested information. After signing up, a new monthly pass is sent automatically each month as long as the account remains active. Universities that offer their students a discount through the online Student Pass program are Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, Rutgers University, William Paterson University, Kean University, Richard Stockton College, New Jersey City University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Ramapo College.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 800,000 daily trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 53 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia