Wayne State is the first university and largest employer in Detroit to subsidize transit passes for all students and employees, an annual effort.
Warriors can win exciting prizes when they sign up for the Commuter Challenge, sponsored by the Southeast Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and go green throughout the month of May.
With the goal to promote green transportation — using public transit, biking, carpooling, vanpooling, walking and working from home — the Commuter Challenge is a way to reduce roadway congestion, improve air quality and save commuters money. Wayne State has supported the challenge since its inception more than 15 years ago.
Prizes include a bike from Detroit Bikes, a night at the Westin Book Cadillac and a range of gift cards.
“The Commuter Challenge has been — and is still — a great way to step outside of an individual’s normal driving pattern and try something new while reducing carbon emissions and helping the environment,” said Jon Frederick, director of Parking and Transportation Services at Wayne State. Additional perks include saving money on fuel, vehicle wear and tear and car insurance.
In fact, Wayne State students and employees can even commute for free, thanks to Wayne Rides, which has partnerships with DDOT and SMART buses, the QLINE streetcar, and MoGo bikes.
A 24/7 campus well-served by transit, Wayne State subsidizes four-hour Dart and annual MoGo passes for all part- and full-time students and employees. Eligible Warriors can unlock free Dart passes, good on DDOT and SMART buses, by completing this Wayne State form. For MoGo, Warriors can sign up with their wayne.edu email address online. The QLINE is currently operating fare-free for all, so Warriors do not need a pass to ride.
After signing up, Warriors have an affordable way to access campus, neighborhoods, services, and jobs across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Instructions for how to access these different, free modes of transportation can be found on the Office of Economic Development’s website, WayneRides, as well as on the WayneRides Facebook page.
To participate in the challenge, sign up on Commuter Connect and record your trips for the chance to win the prizes mentioned above.
“I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free Wayne Rides program which includes Dart (SMART and DDOT buses as well as QLINE streetcar) and MoGo (Detroit's public bike sharing system) — offered to all WSU Students, faculty and staff — to try a new method of travel to work throughout this year’s Commuter Challenge. Hopefully it becomes a regular source of transportation,” said Frederick.
By Katheryn Kutil