Members of A.S. Council are taking action to inform and involve UCSD students in their ongoing education campaign about recently announced changes to transportation services.
Last month, UCSD Transportation and Parking Services announced changes in transportation for the 2013–2014 school year due to its budget deficit, including the discontinuation of the Nobel and Arriba shuttle services, which will be absorbed by MTS. Other changes include an increase in student parking permit prices and the dissolution of the free UCSD Bus Zone sticker.
A.S. Council’s recent efforts in its campaign against these changes include a student transportation survey and presentations to 31 student organizations. With over 6,000 members, the student-run Facebook group “UCSD Students Against Transportation Changes” has allowed students to become involved and discuss solutions to the proposed changes.
A.S. President Meggie Le said she believes the biggest issue to address regarding the transportation system is its funding model. By presenting to student organizations and talking with students on Library Walk, Le plans to inform students about the model and the council’s plan to fix it.
“What it comes down to is the funding model and how unsustainable it is,” Lee said. “If we fix it, then we’ll be able to balance our transportation system.”
Members of A.S. Council will meet with Vice Chancellor Gary Matthews this Friday, Feb. 8, to discuss problems surrounding the funding model.
“A lot of it will be us pressuring him [Matthews] to get his staff members to create this sustainable model,” Le said.
TPS is a completely self-supported department without state funds or student fees for services. This year alone, TPS faces a $2.1 million deficit.
“The department works hard to provide innovative and sustainable commute options and support the overall effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the campus,” Director of Auxiliary Business Services Robert Holden said.
Holden says that the cost of subsidizing 100 percent of the Bus Zone has surpassed incoming revenue to TPS.
TPS conducted a survey during spring 2012 that sought input from students, faculty and staff regarding campus transportation services. Sixty-five percent of the respondents preferred a solution that would replace the MTS and Bus Zone program with a user fee-based system.
“Transportation Services greatly values the input of UC San Diego students,” Holden said. “The department believes that it is important to allow everyone on campus the opportunity to learn and share ideas about the planned transitions.”
TPS will hold a town hall forum on Feb. 12 at 3:30 p.m. in Price Center Theater to answer questions from students and to discuss the proposed transit changes.
“They [TPS] have made a lot of admirable changes and cuts; I don’t think they’re out to be the bad guy,” Le said. “They’ve been trying for the past few years to make cuts that wouldn’t hugely affect us, but now they don’t know what else to do.”
A.S. Council plans to send out a petition this week to students that will be shown to Vice Chancellor Matthews to emphasize student involvement and passion toward the transit issues.
“My very, very last approach to this would be a protest,” Le said.
