South Carolina-based Clemson University is collaborating with the local transit system, Clemson Area Transit (CAT), on route changes and cuts in service due to escalating fuel costs and reduced subsidy.
CAT provides fare-free bus service to the Clemson community, with about 90 percent of its 1.5 million to 1.6 million annual ridership attributed to university students, faculty and staff.
For the 2007-08 school year, Clemson University’s contribution to CAT was approximately $1.65 million. For 2008-09, however, the university will trim its contribution by about $550,000, or 33 percent, to $1.1 million.
Geary Robinson, the university’s director of parking
services, said the $550,000 is needed to maintain and repair campus parking
lots. The $1.1 million that will be provided to CAT comes from a student
transit fee, he added.
Robinson said the university hopes to minimize the impact of
the CAT service cuts, which could be as much as 11,000 hours over the course of
the year, by working closely with transit officials and Clemson student
leaders.
“Additionally, as we move toward a comprehensive
transportation demand management program, we will be evaluating all modes of
transport, such as carpools, vanpools, bike and walking paths, alternative
means of transportation, transit and on-campus parking,” Robinson said. “We are
moving toward providing a pedestrian-friendly campus, while at the same time
maintaining a high level of transit services.”
0 Comments
See all comments