UC Riverside employees who live in the Inland Empire will be able to ride Metrolink for free as part of a new promotion.
IE Commuter is working with UCR Transportation Services to test out the program, which is expected to have a wider launch next year.
IE Commuter is funded by the Riverside County Transportation Commission and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority through sales taxes collected in both counties for transportation improvements.
The program is aimed at encouraging more residents to experience passenger rail service to get around Southern California for work or leisure.
“UCR is a valued partner with the transportation agencies.” said Tara Pueschel, transportation demand management specialist with Transportation Services. “This soft launch benefits both IE Commuter and UCR employees.”
UCR employees who live in Riverside or San Bernardino County can sign up to receive 10 trip tickets for up to a 90-day period.
To participate:
• Visit IECommuter.org and click the “Join Now” button at top of page.
• Follow the steps to create an account. You will need to click “My Account” to add your home address and employer.
• Once logged into your account, click on the “Promotions” link in the menu at top of the page. Click to join the “Free Metrolink Pass Program” and follow the instructions to receive your free tickets.
• Participants must download the Metrolink app to their phone. Metrolink will send an email to validate, so the same email address should be used for creating an IECommuter account.
Participants will receive a 10-trip ticket valid for 60 days from the first date of use. Additional tickets may be ordered during the 90-day window after the other tickets have been used or expired. Participants will be asked to choose a starting and ending station.
Once the program officially launches, UCR employees can participate again for another 90 days.
Metrolink on Oct. 9 launched another program for students called the Student Adventure Pass that allows them unlimited free rides for six months. UCR has had 1,099 students register for the pass.
For more information, visit IECommuter.org, email info@IEcommuter.org, or call 1-866-RIDESHARE (866-743-3742). You can also contact Tara Pueschel at Transportation Services at tara.pueschel@ucr.edu.
