Local initiative promotes alternative transit usage

Cumbersome bus guides, obscure bicycle laws, countless transit Web pages A-- University students certainly have transportation options, but sorting through them is another thing.

Partnering with other area transit authorities and UNC-system schools, the Triangle Transit Authority initiated a year-long campaign last month designed to get college students interested in alternative transportation.

Titled "Redefine the Way You Travel," the campaign uses a Web site, RedefineTravel.org, and various advertisements to show how students can bike, carpool or ride public transportation to reach common destinations.

"I think it's sort of a quantum leap," said Carrboro Planning Board Chairman James Carnahan.

Carnahan said that the initiative should complement Car Free Day, an area initiative to promote alternative transportation in the area, scheduled for Thursday.

Working with the University and N.C. State University, area transit authorities, as well as representatives from Shaw and N.C. Central universities, the TTA is using print and radio advertisements to direct students at all four institutions to the project's Web site.

For students trying to reach common destinations like The Streets at Southpoint in Durham or Southern Village, the site features information about bus routes and transit services that can be used.

The site also lists N.C. bicycle laws and bicycle safety tips for those who would rather fit a little more exercise into their daily routines.

And for anyone interested in starting a carpool, the site also has a section on how to start and maintain one.

The TTA started the campaign, which began planning in May and launched Aug. 17, to expand its services to those who do not normally use the transit system, said intern and University senior Jennifer Mallory.

Mallory, who helped design the campaign for the TTA over the summer with another student from N.C. State, said the campaign will eventually include other advertising ideas.

One such idea, Mallory said, would be a "Ticket for a Ticket" program that would place Web site advertisement on parking tickets.

"It's called guerilla marketing," she said.

Other ideas would include working with student apartment complexes to create a carpool, Mallory added.

For now, campaign planners are setting up information kiosks and are scheduling bus tours at each of the institutions, with the University's bus tour scheduled for Oct. 1.

Patrick McDonough, TTA transit service planner, said the program would likely benefit more than just students.

"We've got a little bit of everybody riding," he said.

Those interested in taking the bus tour can e-mail Mallory at jmallory@ridetta.org.

 

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.