Student Council unanimously approved a resolution last night which supports an increase in the comprehensive transportation fee. In addition, the resolution calls for the implementation of newer busses and more bus routes.
The comprehensive transportation fee is part of the required tuition and fees all University students pay. This fee provides approximately 75 percent of University Transit Service's operating budget, said Rebecca White, director of University Parking and Transportation.
The resolution was written by Will Sowers, chair of the parking and transportation committee, and was cosponsored by representatives David Reid, Wyatt Robinson and Lela Graham. The resolution recommends a $5 increase to the fee, raising it from $45.50 a semester to $50.50 a semester. This is based on a similar recommendation from the Parking and Transportation advisory committee and would provide $180,000 a year in increased revenue. The increase would avoid the need to raise parking fees, White said.
Senior Associate Dean of Students Shamim Sisson is a member of the Parking and Transportation advisory committee which makes recommendations about rate and fee structures to Yoke San Reynolds, University vice president for finance. Reynolds ultimately determines the comprehensive transportation fee.
"Every year we review with the staff at P&T and discuss what the budget looks like, what the needs are and what kind of revenue needs to be generated to meet the budget," Sisson said. "Then we make recommendations based on that."
The cost of running UTS is over $2.1 million a year. Of that total, approximately $1.1 million goes toward paying bus drivers. Additionally, almost $1 million a year is spent on fuel and bus repairs.
"Our budget is very close to the bone," White said.
The average age of a UTS bus is 12 years, although some of the oldest busses have been in service for 20 years. It currently costs $280,000 to purchase a new bus.
"We try to put enough money in reserve that is equivalent to buying one bus every year," White said. "Every three or four years we buy new busses."
The fee increase also would help to maintain a high level of service, White said.
"We're trying to sustain a future for UTS and keep our equipment up to date," she said.
Last night marked the first time Council passed a resolution regarding the Department of Parking & Transportation, White said.
"Student Council took it upon themselves to endorse the fee increase," White said. "We've had a great relationship the last three years."
With the elimination of first-year parking, UTS has worked with Council to add bus services for students. This includes a new route that will run along Route 29, White said.
A pilot of the service will begin March 29 and continue until the Saturday before the end of classes.
Reid called the resolution a step in the right direction and said that it would help ensure that busses can run on time with little crowding.
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