New transit partnership in Long Beach, Calif.

 [IMAGE]CSULB-reg-2.jpg[/IMAGE]

Long Beach Transit (LBT) and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), launched a one-month partnership that allows current students, faculty and staff to ride all LBT buses for free by swiping their ID cards through fareboxes.

University officials hope the free fares will increase ridership and reduce traffic congestion around the campus as the school year gets started. LBT has several stops on the campus and serves from 1,400 to 2,300 CSULB customers daily.

Marcelle Epley, LBT’s marketing manager, said the transit system will receive a flat fee from the university based on average CSULB-related ridership and will track how many students, faculty and staff take advantage of the free rides, which will be offered through Sept. 30.

“Response to the program will be reviewed during and after the end of the free-ride period, at which time CSULB will work to find the resources to continue the program,” Epley said. “Students will continue to be offered monthly LBT student passes for $31 —38 percent lower than the regular $50 monthly pass.”