“HOP ON THE LOOP”: Mayor Mark Freda, front right, and Council President Michelle Pirone Lambros, front left, joined Princeton University students for a recent ride on the Princeton Loop Express to kick off the Municipality’s fall campaign to increase awareness of the free bus service. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Princeton)
By Matthew Hersh
Princeton officials are encouraging residents, workers, students, and visitors to take advantage of the town’s free Loop bus service this fall, part of an ongoing effort to increase awareness and ridership of the expanded municipal transportation system.
Mayor Mark Freda and Council President Michelle Pirone Lambros kicked off the “Hop on the Loop this Fall” campaign on September 18, joining Princeton University students for a ride on the Loop Express to the Princeton Shopping Center and visiting destinations along the route.
“The Princeton Loop Express is helping make it easier for residents, students, and visitors to move throughout our community without relying on a car,” said Lambros, who has led Council’s efforts to expand the service. “Whether someone is shopping downtown, connecting to Princeton Station, attending an event, or running everyday errands, the Loop Express offers a convenient, sustainable, and cost-free transportation option.”
The expanded Loop system, relaunched in April, includes two free routes. The Loop Express connects the Princeton Shopping Center, downtown Princeton, and Princeton Station, in about 20 minutes. The Loop Local serves neighborhoods, senior housing communities, shopping areas, community facilities, and the central business district. Both are open to the public.
Lambros said the Municipality is planning additional outreach focused on groups that could make greater use of the service, including employees who could use the Loop for park-and-ride transportation, residents who commute, and those who want to shop without driving and searching for parking.
The town is also working with Experience Princeton to increase awareness of the Loop among the local business community, with additional efforts expected.
The expanded service follows several years of discussion about how Princeton residents travel and what might encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
A 2022 Community Mobility Study, previously reported in Town Topics, surveyed Princeton residents and visitors about their transportation habits and needs. The study was undertaken in anticipation of population growth and the resulting transportation demands, while also considering Princeton’s goals of reducing traffic congestion, improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, and cutting carbon emissions. The survey received 470 responses from residents and visitors, in addition to a separate survey of Princeton High School students. More stops and a more regular schedule were among the changes respondents said could encourage them to use public transportation more frequently.
Transportation is also a significant component of Princeton’s broader sustainability efforts. Sustainable Princeton data show that transportation accounts for about one-third of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions, second only to building energy use. The organization encourages prioritizing walking, biking, and public transportation over car travel as ways to reduce environmental impacts and improve mobility.
Princeton University has provided financial support for the municipal shuttle system. Under a five-year voluntary contribution agreement announced in 2024, the University committed $1.5 million.
Route maps, schedules, stops, and service information are available at princetonloop.com.