CONTACT: Kevin Elwood
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Higher Education Area Transit Welcomes North Carolina A&T to Transit Partnership

GREENSBORO -- Greensboro Transit Authority’s Higher Education Area Transit (HEAT) program has announced North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has agreed to become a partner in HEAT serving Greensboro and Jamestown. 

In a letter from the university, Chancellor Lloyd V. Hackley stated that A&T has “…reassessed our needs and determined that the expanded transportation service that HEAT provides would be beneficial to our students, faculty and staff.”  With the agreement of the university to immediately become a financially supporting partner, A&T students can now ride any HEAT or GTA bus on a fare-free basis.

Although A&T was not a financially supporting partner at the time of launching HEAT in August 2006, the university was heavily involved in the two-year planning of the transportation service.  Anticipation of the inclusion of A&T was a part of the overall program strategy and that foresight is now returning dividends with the addition of the school and its 10,000-plus students.

“The final piece of this great partnership is now in place,” said Libby James, Public Transportation Manager with the City of Greensboro. “HEAT was conceptualized with seven schools taking part in providing enhanced transportation options for students and the general public. It is exciting to have this major institution of higher learning now an official partner in this groundbreaking effort and we look forward to even more students enjoying HEAT.”

A&T students can access HEAT at any designated HEAT bus stop, including the current A&T locations on East Market Street using their Aggie ONEcard for fare-free access. GTA is working to program HEAT and GTA bus fare boxes to accept valid Aggie ONEcards. However, during the fare box programming process, bus operators have been notified to admit all A&T students with valid student identification by visual inspection. Also, public transportation planners will soon establish the location of an on-campus stop and shelter to be located near the Memorial Student Union.  North Carolina A&T will additionally gain an off-campus shuttle route similar to UNCG’s 73 that will serve student housing in the A&T vicinity. The route is planned to start operation by the fall 2007 semester.

The HEAT service, supported primarily by federal and state grants is a partnership between GTA, the City of Greensboro and the following financially supporting institutions: Bennett College for Women, Elon University School of Law, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Guilford Technical Community College, North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Service information including route maps and schedules can be found on the web at www.rideheat.com.

The Greensboro Department of Transportation (GDOT) seeks to increase public safety and mobility through the effective planning and delivery of transportation services and operation of municipal transit.  For more information about GDOT, contact us at (336) 373-GDOT (4368) or visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/gdot

The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued.  As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect.  The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body.  For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.

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