Huntsville Transit providing free rides to college students, staff next week

Published on April 13, 2022

College students and staff members who are passionate about the environment can give the planet a lift next week while getting a lift from Huntsville Transit.

From April 18-22, anyone presenting a valid college ID can board a Huntsville Orbit bus for free. The offer applies to students, staff and faculty at all Huntsville-area colleges and universities.

The promotion is Huntsville Transit’s way of celebrating Earth Day on April 22. Huntsville’s Operation Green Team will celebrate the observance locally on Saturday, April 23, at Hays Nature Preserve.

Director of Parking and Public Transit Quisha Bryant said the free ride promotion is a great way to get young adults thinking about the benefits of public transit, especially for those who don’t have a vehicle. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to show how public transit benefits the environment because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The effort was led by Xanthetia Watkins, a former Huntsville Transit employee and current graduate student at Alabama A&M University. Bryant said Watkins’ efforts and partnership encouraged Huntsville Transit’s focus on the environment.

“Every person who rides an Orbit bus represents one less vehicle on the road,” she said. “As our population continues to grow, public transit will not only reduce traffic on our highways, but it will also help reduce our carbon footprint.”

According to a greenhouse gas study by the American Public Transportation Association, surface transportation is responsible for 85% of transportation sector emissions. The study also found public transportation can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.

“It’s important for all of us to do our part to help the environment, and this is just one small way Huntsville Transit can contribute,” Bryant said.

Click here to learn more about Huntsville Transit.