INC NEWS - Good news: Duke to offer discount city & regional bus passes

[John Schelp]

folks,

Transit subsidies for Duke employees was one of the issues the Old West Durham Neighborhood Association pressed at our working dinner with Duke leadership back in June. 

Very good news. Duke's Phail Wynn just emailed us the update below.

Duke's new transit subsidies will help reduce the number of cars driving through the communities near campus, help improve air quality, offer transit options for employees, support DATA and Triangle Transit and help improve bus ridership numbers (as a similar program has done in Chapel Hill).

Good things are beginning to happen at Duke, especially when Dr Wynn is involved.

best,

John Schelp
old west durham  www.owdna.org

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Discount City and Regional Bus Passes  (02 Sept 2008)

In an effort to help faculty, staff and students save on commuting costs and reduce our impact on the environment, Duke has partnered with Durham Area Transit Authority to offer discount city and regional bus passes at a savings of up to 60 percent. 

Faculty, staff and students can purchase these discount bus passes through Duke for transportation with the Durham Area Transit Authority, Triangle Transit Regional and Triangle Transit Express. Passengers with a regional pass can also board a Capital Area Transit bus for connections to DATA and TT buses. 

Those who join the program and enroll through payroll deduction and automatic bus pass renewal will receive additional pre-tax savings. This additional savings only applies to participants who purchase 30-day bus passes. 

The discounted bus pass for 20 one-way trips can be purchased with only cash, check or credit card, and the pre-tax savings will not apply. 

Through this program, for example, a 30-day unlimited pass with DATA that normally sells for $36 can be purchased for $12 by enrolling in payroll deduction and automatic renewal. Similarly, a 30-day pass for unlimited rides with the Triangle Transit Regional line that sells for $64 can be purchased for $24. 

Please help communicate this new discount program in your areas. Several bus pass options are available, so faculty, staff and students are encouraged to review routes and schedules to select a pass that best meets their transportation needs. Visit http://www.parking.duke.edu/buspass for pricing and a link to routes, schedules and maps. 

People who want to enroll in the program under automatic renewal or wish to buy a 20-trip pass must do so in person at Duke's Parking and Transportation Services office, Facilities Center on Coal Pile Dr. At this time, passes cannot be purchased online or through the transit lines. 

The discount bus passes are among several transportation initiatives offered through Parking and Transportation. Duke recently introduced a carpool program with free parking for four or more members and an online ride-matching service, Duke GreenRide, to help faculty, staff and students find carpool partners. For more information about these and other programs, visit www.parking.duke.edu/carpool or call (919) 684-7275. 

--Kemel Dawkins, Duke Vice President for Campus Services