Ride DATA free today, get other goodies on "Try Transit" week

If you're a regular DATA bus commuter, or if you've wanted to give transit a try in the Bull City, today's the day to do it, as the City kicks off its participation in the region's "Try Transit Week."

Today is "Free Fare Day" in Durham on all city buses; it's also a free-ride day on the Triangle Transit intercity buses and many other area bus systems.

The City notes in their press release:

According to Ieshia Robertson, public affairs specialist for the City of Durham/DATA, the fare-free Monday event is in honor of “International Car Free Day” and will help improve Durham’s environment – and save Durham residents from feeling so much pain at the gas pump.   

“DATA is sponsoring this year’s ‘Try Transit Week’ as part of our commitment to protect the environment as we move toward more environmentally-friendly initiatives such as the new Adopt-A-Stop program, hybrid-electric buses and solar lighting at bus shelters,” Robertson said.  “We encourage residents to try a cleaner, “greener” method to travel in the City of Durham.  By choosing DATA just this one day, riders can make an enormous contribution toward improving our community’s air quality and save a little money at the gas pump too.”

Tomorrow marks DATA's Customer Appreciation Day, with the bus service giving away ice cream and pedestrian blinking safety lights at the downtown transfer station. And Wednesday, the N. Roxboro Chick-Fil-A is sponsoring a "Stuff the Bus Food Drive" -- bring three hygiene items or three non-perishable food items for the the Food Back of Central & Eastern N.C., and get a coupon for a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich.

One additional point of celebration for DATA passengers: this should be the final "Try Transit Week" at the old, tired bus transfer station at the Downtown Loop, with the new multimodal center next to Ambacco's North Garage wrapping up construction.

Comments

[allen]

I wish I would have gotten the news sooner. Too bad DATA doesn't go into Woodcroft after 730.

[Bull City Rising]

My bad on that; I noticed the press release only on my way out the door to work this morning and hurried to get it posted.

[Pepe]

The increase in ridership on the TTA buses today has me thinking that the powers that be charge too much to get from Durham to Chapel Hill. The 402 and 403 were both standing-room only when my girlfriend rode them today. The majority of those riding were of the working class, which makes me believe that if the fare was lowered to a more-affordable $1.00 that ridership would increase to make up some of the difference.

Perhaps we can charge a 1-cent-a-gallon gas tax in the tri-county area to pay for more transit opportunities (i.e. 30-minute headways all day and more routes, all at $1.00 a ride or less). At $3.50 a gallon, who will notice an extra penny? I'm sure it will add up for TTA, though.