By Betsy Hnath
Since Â鶹´«Ã½ introduced the Pace bike-sharing service to its campus, the program has produced impressive results.
Pace works through an app. Bikes are locked and unlocked, and rides are purchased using a smartphone.
Of the 15 Pace stations scattered throughout Norfolk, seven are on Â鶹´«Ã½'s campus. And in the six weeks since the program's launch, University riders accounted for 20 percent of total system use, according to Megan Gribble, Â鶹´«Ã½'s transportation planner.
Gribble said the program has gotten high marks across the board.
"So far, I have received 99 percent positive feedback," Gribble said. "Students really seemed to enjoy using Pace bikes before most left for the summer, and the few complaints I have received are very common when bike share is new and users are still learning bike etiquette."
Due to its overwhelming success, Pace will expand the number of stations in Norfolk. The company has also rolled out additional perks for the Â鶹´«Ã½ community:
- Riders can receive a 50 percent discount on all rides or a monthly subscription by using email addresses that end in "edu."
- Without the "edu" discount, monthly subscriptions cost $29 per month and provide an unlimited number of 60-minute rides every day.
Gribble also touts the referral program.
"I'm a big fan," she said. "Pace makes it easy to earn ride credits when your friends and family sign up with your code."
Gribble sees Pace as a way to reach areas not served by shuttles or HRT services. It also can be used toget to and from campus sporting events, such as football games.
"I like that PACE provides greater flexibility," Gribble said. "It's a fantastic program."
