Students at New Mexico State University and Dona Ana Community college can ride any RoadRunner Transit bus fare-free with a valid student ID beginning Aug. 20.

As part of a demonstration project, current students will receive a free ride throughout the 2012-2013 academic year.

Valid IDs must be presented each time a student boards a bus and have the picture of the Organ Mountains with the tower at Goddard Hall in the foreground. Current students who do not have the proper ID card can obtain one by contacting the ID card services office at their school.

The program was approved by the Las Cruces City Council Aug. 6 to temporarily waive fares for students in order to collect data that could lead to a formal universal pass program that could begin as soon as the fall 2013 semester, said Mike Bartholomew, transit administrator for the city of Las Cruces.

U-Pass programs are common in communities with both a public transit system and higher education institutions. These programs are traditionally funded by a formal agreement between the institution and the transit service where the school pays an annual sum, usually collected through student fees.

U-Pass programs not only provide universal access but have the ability to fund additional transit services that can benefit both students and the community.

This free-ride program does not currently apply to staff, faculty or student from other institutions. However, Aggie Transit at NMSU and the DACC Shuttle which connects Mesilla Valley Mall with the Ease Mesa Campus of DACC will continue to be fare-free for all users.

The demonstration project will end May 13, 2013.

For additional information, contact RoadRUNNER Transit by calling 575-541-2500 or by sending an email to roadrunner@las-cruces.org, or by contacting ASNMSU at 575-646-4415.