University Transit Service administrators discussed changing the Blue and Orange bus routes to better serve the University community during a forum last night sponsored by Student Council. The proposed changes, which include the potential elimination of the Ivy Road route, have raised the concerns of University students living in that area, specifically residents of University Heights and Ivy Gardens apartments.
UTS Transportation Demand Manager Mike Goddard outlined the proposed changes that should "modularize" the Blue and Orange routes to increase efficiency and improve services to densely populated areas on Grounds such as McCormick Road and Lambeth Field.
"Three-fourths of Alderman Road dorm residents are transit-dependent due to the first-year automobile restrictions," Goddard said. "Four new stops along McCormick Road will help decrease loading times and increase efficiency."
The proposed routes also aim to avoid heavy traffic on Barracks Road and Emmet Street and improve access for students living in Hereford College.
Specific changes include operating 14 buses on two separate routes and ensuring that the routes run at full service later into the night.
The routes that service Ivy Road have thrown a kink in the overall efficiency of the transit service, according to Goddard. UTS studies have shown that the Ivy Road routes do not provide enough "continuous student density" to warrant their continued existence.
Residents expressed frustration at last night's meeting about the fact that route changes will limit their access to public transportation.
Becca White, director of Parking and Transportation, said no final decision has yet been made and discussion remains open.
"We are collecting data," White said. "We have been working with University Heights management as well, weighing out what our options are and what the opportunities are ... We have not yet settled how we will do it."
Establishing private partnerships to provide transit service and potential connector shuttles remain potential options for the stranded residents.
White added that there will be more forums early next semester and that UTS is "several weeks away" from a final plan.
UTS also plans on buying three more buses and installing GPS systems on every bus as well as adding bike racks to the front to allow for "multi-modal" transportation, Goddard said.
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