|
|
Vol. LXIV, No. 16
|
|
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
|
|
|
|
Vol. LXIV, No. 16
|
|
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
|
Borough Zoning Officer Derek Bridger acknowledged at last week’s Regional Planning Board meeting that Princeton University is “doing well in accommodating community needs” regarding its shuttle and transportation system.
Anyone can ride on the University’s Tiger Transit shuttles for free, and no identification is checked or required.
Ridership on the Tiger Transit system amounts to about 750,000 single rides per year, he added. “Princeton University made significant efforts in 2008, which led up to enhanced Saturday service,” as well as an on-call service.
Also beginning in 2008, all university parking lots were zoned for maximum efficiency, and traffic mitigation and congestion measures have been incorporated, Mr. Bridger said.
Planning Board member Marvin Reed recalled that there was a “lot of apprehension” that the University shuttle vehicles would be noisy, but was pleased that they are quiet.
University Director of Community and Regional Affairs Kristin Appelget noted that the shuttle fleet is comprised of biodiesel-fueled buses, and that improvements are being made.
To further reduce their carbon footprint, the University also operates the Princeton Theological Seminary transit, which links the two campuses, and connects them to other locations.
Additionally, Ms. Appelget and University Director of Transportation and Parking Kim Jackson have partnered with Township Committeeman and Chair of the Borough’s Traffic and Transportation Committee Anton Lahnston to determine how best to pool resources to provide the best community transit service in town.
An integrated transit system utilizing the resources of Tiger Transit, the Borough’s FreeB jitney shuttle, and New Jersey Transit bus and train service could link together much of the town and region, and provide access to communities facing a transportation shortfall.
To better ascertain how local residents use public transportation, and to find out more about commuting and traffic, the Borough Traffic and Transportation Committee has put together a brief and anonymous survey. All are encouraged to participate in the survey, which can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/s/Princeton/TTS.
For more information about Tiger Transit, and for schedules, visit www.princeton.edu/transportation/tigertransit.html, or for a realtime view of the buses and route map, see http://princeton.transloc.com/.