[IMAGE]NCTD-Breeze-full.jpg[/IMAGE]Oceanside, Calif.-based North County Transit District (NCTD) offers transit service to North County's three college campuses and invites students to try transit when they head to school this fall. A "Free Rides to College" promotion will be offered to students, staff and faculty holding a valid identification card from California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), MiraCosta College or Palomar College.

The "Free Rides to College" promotion runs weekdays only: Monday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 28 and Monday, August 31 through Friday, Sept. 4. Passengers traveling to one of the three North County colleges are encouraged to try the Sprinter light rail and Breeze bus system during the beginning of the semester. Palomar and MiraCosta students head back to class on August 24 while the CSUSM fall semester begins Aug. 31.

NCTD's transit services help alleviate parking and traffic congestion at the three North County colleges. The Sprinter/Breeze transit system, featuring half-hour service for all three campuses, provides students with an opportunity to save money and reduce stress, according to the agency.

"MiraCosta College's enrollment could increase this fall as much as 20 percent over last year. We're pleased NCTD has partnered with our campus to help students by offering an alternative to crowded parking lots," says Bonnie Hall, MiraCosta director of marketing and communications.

"Leaving the car at home gives students an opportunity to get to campus quickly, while also reducing the amount they would be spending on gas and parking permit fees," says NCTD Board Chair Bob Campbell.

CSUSM, Palomar College and MiraCosta College students, staff and faculty holding a valid picture I.D. card can ride Breeze buses or Sprinter trains for free during the "Free Rides to College" promotion. Passengers must display their current fall semester I.D. card upon boarding any Breeze bus or show it to a fare inspector aboard any Sprinter train.

"This is a great opportunity for CSUSM students to try the Sprinter/Breeze and with the cost of a parking permit at $65.00 per month, riding the Sprinter/Breeze is a big savings for them," says CSUSM's Commuter Coordinator Debora Schmidt.

NCTD sells a regular Sprinter/Breeze monthly pass for $59 and day passes for $5 at all Sprinter stations from ticket vending machines. Full time students may purchase discounted college Sprinter/Breeze monthly passes at their campus: CSUSM $49; MiraCosta College $44; and Palomar College $47. Youth monthly transit passes for passengers ages 6 to 18 are sold for $36 and can be purchased at NCTD Customer Service locations. For more details about connections to campus, where to purchase monthly passes, trip planning and schedules call 511 or visit www.GoNCTD.com.