Forums address transportation concerns, advertise alternatives

Local transit authorities held two transportation forums in the Student Union on Wednesday in hopes of making students and faculty more aware of transit service programs available to them.

Both sessions also were aimed at giving users of Chapel Hill Transit and the Triangle Transit Authority the opportunity to voice questions and concerns about the two transportation services.

"I think it's really important for those who use the services every day to be able to get back to the people who run the services," said Debby Freed, University transportation demand management coordinator and marketing specialist.

Many of those in attendance expressed concern about pedestrian traffic on South Road.

"It's just a major point of pedestrian traffic," Freed said. "It's something we've been trying to address for some time now."

In particular, several people complained about pedestrian traffic preventing buses from reaching the bus stop by Fetzer Gym.

"I've been on the bus for 10 minutes, unable to get off, because we're stuck waiting for all the students to clear out," said first-year graduate student Audrey Bowerman.

Most agreed the best idea would be to expand the hours that University police monitor the crosswalk's pedestrian flow.

University police currently monitor the walk from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., but it was suggested that their hours be changed to go from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

"I think that would catch a lot more students," said first-year graduate student Rebeen Pasha. "The system is there, it just needs to be expanded."

Another major theme of the evening was concern about overcrowding at area park-and-ride lots.

Construction projects on campus have further limited the number of parking spaces available, forcing many who formerly parked on campus to use town and University park-and-ride lots, many of which are now filled beyond capacity.

Several people suggested that transit officials look into possibly building more parking lots, particularly near U.S. 15-501, where many lots fill quickly in the mornings.

But Patrick McDonough, TTA transit service planner, said that while building more lots is logistically possible, officials cannot obtain the land to do so.

"We've looked at areas around (U.S.) 15-501, and it is just real tough there," McDonough said. "It's not for lack of looking."

Freed pointed out that the University's park-and-ride lot near the Friday Center has found a temporary solution by allowing cars to use "creative parking."

"Basically, if you're not blocking traffic lanes in the lot, you can park most places in the lot," she said. "Creative parking, for now, is allowed."

TTA officials also presented attendees with information on two of their programs that have not garnered much attention.

The Emergency Ride Home program is aimed at those who use alternative forms of transportation to get to school or work but whose circumstances merit a quicker, more direct way home.

McDonough said one of the main reasons the program was created was to help parents who need a quick way to pick up their children in case the child gets sick.

The program allows those who use alternative transportation to call TTA in the event of an emergency, such as a sick child or unscheduled overtime. TTA will then call a local cab or rental car company to pick up the individual and to provide free transportation.

Brian Fahey, a commuter assistant specialist with TTA, also provided information on the TTA's vanpooling program. The service is provided to groups of no fewer than seven people who work and live near each other and work similar hours.

TTA provides a van for which it pays for gas, insurance and maintenance. Riders pay only a low monthly fare based on monthly round-trip mileage.

More information can be obtained at the TTA Web site, www.ridetta.org.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.