Research Triangle Park, N.C.  The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) announced today the donation of nearly 3.2 acres of land in the Research Triangle Park from IBM.

The donated property, on which the North RTP station will be constructed, is on the west side of South Miami Boulevard, adjacent to the SE Gate entrance to the IBM RTP campus.

“TTA appreciates and thanks IBM for its generous donation of land,” said John Claflin, TTA General Manager. “This is an important endorsement by a key, longtime partner in our efforts to bring regional rail to the Triangle. It supports TTA’s goal of providing transportation options. ”

In jointly making the announcement with the TTA, IBM's senior state executive for North Carolina, Rusine Mitchell-Sinclair, said the company's donation of the property is consistent with its long history of corporate citizenship. "We have seen major changes in RTP and the surrounding communities during our years in the Park. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of our RTP facility, and keeping with our tradition of contributing to the communities where IBM has a presence, we are pleased to participate in the furtherance of the area's transportation infrastructure through this land donation."

Built on the land donated by IBM, TTA’s North RTP station will allow RTP employees to use regional rail rather than often crowded highways. Shuttle buses will connect riders to employers located beyond walking distance of the North RTP station and Triangle Metro Center station planned for South Miami Boulevard just south of the rail bridge over NC Highway 54.

The North RTP station plans call for a platform and canopy, parking, bicycle racks and a bus transfer area. It will be universally accessible and include lighting, seating, a passenger assistance system, transit service information and ticket machines.

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, RDU International Airport, Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh. The Triangle Transit Authority also provides commuter resources and hosts GoTriangle.org, the on-line resource for the public transportation information in the Triangle.

TTA plans to implement a 28-mile rail transit system with 12 stations connecting Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh, with shuttles linking RDU International Airport and RTP. The rail transit system is expected to be operational in late 2008. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.