Here's what I learned at the open forum last night regarding the UW Transportation Services. Just an FYI, the first point below is due to a posting in another venue that incorrectly reported that this was due to cut in state funding.
I think it is very important for those who work or study at the UW, or the hospitals, and those that are affected by the policies and programs of the UW Transportation Services, to attend one of the forums, or at least forward comments on these matters. We should be speaking out on what our priorities are for all the options for moving people around campus and facilitating (or discouraging) certain modes. A link to the web page with more info is at the end of this message. As a reminder, the remaining forums will be held: * Wednesday, May 5: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ebling Symposium center in the Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Drive. * Thursday, May 6: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the multipurpose room in University Square, 333 E. Campus Mall * Tuesday, May 25: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Room 1335 in the Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave. 1. This is not because of state budget cut. UW Transportation Services receives no state money. They pay for everything out of revenues they collect: permits, visitor parking, special events, tickets, etc. When I say pay for everything, that means staff, web site, brochures, bike lockers, bus passes, enforcement, etc. Also, building and maintaining the parking ramps and lots - see point # 2. The problem is that they have been building a ton of underground parking and ramps so they can build on the previous surface lots. The structured parking is very expensive, and now they are facing a huge debt service. Plus lots and lots of of UW faculty and staff are using the bus, so the amount UW has to pay Metro (which also comes from those same revenues coming in) has gone up. It's great that many people are using the bus, but it does mean an increased cost for UW. 3. No matter what happens, or how you feel about various modes of transportation, UW Transportation Services has to either cut costs or increase revenue. They want to hear from people as to how they can do this, and what people's priorities are. Everything is on the table. Options presented at the meeting included changing the parking permit program in various ways, charging more - or at all - for off-peak hours, charging visitors more, making certain premium lots much more expensive, charging per hour instead of via half or full day for Flex parkers, etc. 4. Cutting, or having employees pay for the bus pass is only one option being explored. It is very doubtful that the pass program would be cut. It is possible that some employee buy-in would be instituted. $50-100 for the whole year would still be a bargain, although less so for the occasional bus rider (like most bicycle commuters.) 5. The slides presented are on line (see below), and they are hoping to get Patrick Katz's presentation (Director of Transportation Services) up as a video as well, Link to slides and more info on the open forums: http://www2.fpm.wisc.edu/trans/openforums.asp Robbie Webber Bike Walk Madison Steering Committee www.bikewalkmadison.org Join our group on Facebook! _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
