A presentation at the forum by Transit Demand Coordinator Debbie Freed generated criticism of the University's transportation policies among forum delegates.
"The time has come where we don't just want to change our transportation habits, we have to change," Freed said. "Campus parking can not keep supplying the increased demand."
But several delegates expressed concern about the current feasibility of campus parking alternatives such as park-and-ride lots located off campus. One delegate claimed that the park-and-ride lot located on N.C. 54 was not sufficiently serviced by public transportation.
Forum delegate Andy Chrismon suggested that the University take measures to increase the number of park-and-ride lots available to employees.
"With the increased cost of living in Chapel Hill, we're all going to move farther and farther away from campus, so PR lots are the way of the future," Chrismon said. "Is the University willing to use eminent domain to purchase land for additional PR lots?"
Freed said she does not feel the University needs to take an aggressive stance on building additional PR lots,but said there is discussion to purchase part of the Durham Blue Cross and Blue Shield lot to use for this purpose.
Freed also said the start of fare-free busing this January and an increase in buses for the Triangle Transit Authority will help cure current transportation problems.
But Jimmy Workman, the Employee Forum's representative on the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee, said University staff members need to to take an active role in the implementation of fare-free busing.
"We need to look at how fare-free busing will be funded next year because there is talk of possibly implementing a fee on University employees," Workman said.
