City and UMass Dartmouth Partnership Connects Students with Downtown

New Bedford Economic Development Council
The UMass Dartmouth Division of Student Affairs and the City of New Bedford have launched a pilot bus loop from the North Dartmouth campus to downtown New Bedford for the spring semester to give students the opportunity to visit the shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the heart of the City.
Dubbed The Loop, the bus provided by the City will run non-stop from the UMass Dartmouth Campus Center to the UMass Star Store College of Visual and Performing Arts center at 715 Purchase Street. The bus also provides a convenient way for CVPA students to travel to classes at the Star Store.
“We think the Corsair Downtown Express is a wonderful way to encourage our students to take advantage of the rich cultural, entertainment and shopping opportunities in downtown New Bedford,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jean Kim.
“The many university students enrolled in classes at the downtown campus have brought tremendous energy to the area, and this new transportation link offers the opportunity for all 8000 UMass Dartmouth students to experience the vitality that exists in downtown New Bedford,” said Mayor Scott W. Lang.
“The Loop is a great example of partnership. The University and the City have teamed up to bring the heart of the City and the Dartmouth campus environments closer together,” said New Bedford Economic Development Executive Director Matthew A. Morrissey.
“We have confidence the pilot will slowly build to success for all – students and merchants alike,” said Morrissey. “With the bus service looping every hour on the hour throughout the day and into the weekends, students who need a ride to class or want to come downtown can now use the Loop as an easy and quick way to get around. Cafes, restaurants, shopping, history, visual and performing art and culture are all a simple bus ride away from the Dartmouth campus.”
The full bus schedule and map showing downtown businesses is available at www.newbedford.is/theloop.
Organizers are pleased with the enthusiastic participation level of downtown business owners in the discount program offered to students with UMass ID.
For business owners who would like to offer students any special incentives, please email ajonhston@nbedc.org.