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Ben Franklin, PATCO, Celebrate Anniversary of Customer Savings Program

Lindenwold, NJ – “A penny saved is a penny earned,” “Ben Franklin” advised morning
PATCO commuters as they arrived at the transit system’s station at 8th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, reminding them of its FREEDOM to Save program. Franklin’s morning greeting and an evening event at PATCO’s Woodcrest Station in Cherry Hill, where participating businesses gave out free gifts and information on the program, marked the one-year anniversary of PATCO’s customer benefits program. 

Through FREEDOM to Save, retailers, restaurants, service providers and other companies provide discounts or other perks to users of PATCO’s FREEDOM Card, its smart card fare collection system. Participating businesses display PATCO-provided window decals and counter signs announcing their involvement in the FREEDOM to Save program, and PATCO promotes the participating companies and their offers through a special page on its Web site and Facebook and Twitter updates and in-station events. 

“The FREEDOM to Save program has been a success for us in providing added value for our 35,000 daily riders and in supporting our regional business community,” said John J. Matheussen, President of PATCO, “and was enormously helpful in supporting our goal to convert 90 percent of our riders to adopt the FREEDOM Card.” 

To remind riders about the program and its benefits, Ben Franklin greeted riders in the morning with information and shrewd advice that “a penny saved is a penny earned.” In the evening, Finley, the Riversharks’ mascot, made an appearance at the Woodcrest Station with representatives from nine other participating companies, handing out giveaways and information about FREEDOM to Save, a program that is a proven win-win for businesses and customers. 

“These times are tough for everyone,” said Barbara Frenzel, owner of the The Polished Plate in Haddonfield, where FREEDOM Card holders can get 10 percent off when they show their card at the time of purchase. “This program sounded like a good opportunity to market the store and give people and opportunity to have a bit of savings.” 

“It's a great idea, because I'm already carrying the card. So as long as I have it, if they'll take it, I'm going to take the discount,” said Steve Ehrlich of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 

The FREEDOM card can be purchased at the automated machines located at each of the 13 PATCO stations along the 14.2 mile line through Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. 

Riders interested in seeing all of the locations where they can use their FREEDOM Card for savings and business owners interested in becoming a FREEDOM to Save partner, should visit ridepatco.org/freedomtosave.

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