nothin Alexion Halves Gateway Bus Fare | New Haven Independent

Alexion Halves Gateway Bus Fare

Aliyya Swaby Photo

Robinson (left) talks career plans with State Rep. Toni Walker.

Thanks to the bus, Lauren Robinson can commute between Church Street and Whalley Avenue in 20 minutes — but the fare adds up over the school year.

Robinson will soon see her transportation costs cut in half, after Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced Monday afternoon that it will subsidize Connecticut Transit bus fare for Gateway Community College students over the next five years.

The $250,000 subsidy is expected to pay for more than 100,000 individual rides per year over five years.

Mayor Toni Harp and city and state representatives explained the various ways the money will help the students and the city’s economic growth.

Alexion Vice-President Dan Caron said the plan will benefit the city in two ways, first by reducing barriers the college’s students face in getting to school every day and secondly by encouraging the use of public transit. The company is planning a move around the corner from the college, and wants to boost the educated workforce,” he said.

According to CT Transit, Gateway students have ridden the bus almost 250,000 times in the past two years.

Alexion is making an investment in their self-interest … enlightened self-interest,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. The cost of transportation and of living in New Haven is rising, and Gateway students often balance work, life and educational costs, he said.

What could be a better mission than making education more accessible?” U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said. Education is the great equalizer.”

Robinson, who is the campus activity board chair for Gateway’s student government, said many of her classmates are in the same position as she is — car-less in New Haven. Even those who have cars prefer to take the bus to avoid rush-hour traffic jams, she said. I definitely need the bus.”

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