Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Plans to implement small permit fee increases over a six-year span to ensure future funding of its transportation services. The Transportation Services program has had to tap into its reserves to continue funding its services.

Will save money by cutting two bus routes and switching providers. The money will be used for repairing streets and parking lots and reducing future permit rates.

Reports a nearly 50 percent decrease in the number of students purchasing parking permits in the last four years. Meanwhile, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District bus ridership has reached record levels.

This fall, even students who walk, ride bicycles or are dropped off at the campus will be required to pay a $30-per-semester "transportation fee." The funds will support the campus shuttle system. Ridership has outpaced current parking permit revenues.

This year, 20 percent fewer freshmen bought parking permits than last year. As a result, campus sustainability officials have held back on a planned ban on freshmen bringing cars to campus.

Campus parking permit sales have dropped by more than 25 percent during the last four academic years and by 13 percent last year alone, local news reports.