The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Business Auxiliary Services (BAS) has created Twitter accounts to use as an avenue to provide timely information for patrons of UTSA's parking and transportation services:

As recent news stories suggest, Twitter has become an effective tool in reaching mass audiences quickly and efficiently. For these two applications of the technology, it is the fastest method to get out messages to users about our ever-changing campuses.

"As communications trends change for students, we must change with them to best meet that need," said Jane Wilcox, UTSA director of business auxiliary services.

Parking Services plans to update the Twitter feed to give students more information about special events, lot maintenance and other activities that may affect parking availability. "Using this method, we are able to inform our public so that they can make the best decision with the most up-to-the-minute information," said Gwendolyn Bolden, assistant director of parking and transportation services.

Transportation Services (campus shuttles) will use Twitter to inform its tech-savvy riders of changes or updates to route information. With more than 1 million passenger rides provided last year, the audience is vast. Imagine sitting at an off-campus apartment waiting for a bus that just broke down, causing a change in service times.

According to Transportation Manager James Strahan, "having the ability to quickly make alternate plans will lessen the chance that a student is late for class or standing needlessly in the elements." Combining this new technology with the newly installed electronic route signs now on every shuttle, BAS is striving to provide as much information to its patrons as possible.

For more information, call (210) 458-PARK (7275) or visit the UTSA Parking and Transportation Services Web site.