Belmont University has partnered with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to offer free train transportation to all university employees and students, becoming the first and only school and employer in Nashville to offer this benefit. Any Belmont student or employee is eligible to ride the new Music City Star, Nashville’s commuter rail system, and Belmont will pick up the cost.
“The Regional Transportation Authority is thrilled to work with Belmont University to provide transportation on the Music City Star to the school’s employees and students,” Teresa McKissick, RTA marketing director, said. “Belmont has always been a leader in our community and the fact that the institution is the first to come aboard and provide rides on the state’s first commuter rail for their employees and students is phenomenal, and also shows a real commitment not only to transportation but also to the people who work and attend school at Belmont.”
Belmont’s partnership with RTA follows an already successful partnership with the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The university partnered with MTA last year to offer students and staff free transportation to campus and became the only university in Nashville to offer free transportation to students. During the last school year, the total boarding number of Belmont employees and students on MTA buses totaled nearly 12,000.
“We’re pleased to be not only the first university but also the first employer in Nashville to extend our commuter benefits to include the Music City Star rail system,” Belmont University President Robert Fisher said. “The commuter benefits program helps lower students’ out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending Belmont and provides a significant new tax-free benefit to our employees. In addition, this partnership will continue to reduce the number of cars coming to campus and help the surrounding neighborhood and our environment.”
Belmont University’s commuter benefits program gives Belmont students, faculty and staff an opportunity to save on gasoline, help reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment, while also providing relief for campus parking. Belmont was named one of “Nashville’s Best Commuter-Friendly Workplaces” by MTA after offering free transportation to campus for the 2005-06 school year.
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“Belmont to pay for Music City Star rides” – The Tennessean, October 31, 2006