More fees mean newer buses

Bill increases student fees $20 each semester

By Ashlee Kieler

Monday, March 5, 2007

Students will see newer buses ­— and new fees — when they return to campus in the fall.

Student Senate passed a bill Feb. 28 that increased student transportation fees $20 each semester to have money for new buses. The increase will bring in $1,015,160 each year.

The referendum failed at a special election on Feb. 13 and 14 because too few students showed up to vote. Election rules state that 10 percent of the student body must vote for the referendum to be passed, but only 5 percent voted at the special election.

The bill was also voted down by the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 21, which kept it from coming to full Senate. However, the Student Senate Executive Committee exercised its power to review the bill itself and passed it on to full Senate.

The first 30 buses purchased will be 10 to 15 years newer than those currently in use. The more modern buses will be equipped with wheelchair lifts or low-floor entrances and top exhaust.

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We project a negative image with old buses that spew particulate matter and aren’t suitable for our entire community.

-student body president Jason Boots

“It is important that Student Senate stepped up to the plate and made the move to acquire cleaner accessible buses for the bus system that they run,” said Jessica Mortinger, Hays senior and Student Senate transportation board member.

Katey Birge, Denver senior and president of AbleHawks, said the passage of the bill was historic because the University had been in violation of American Disability Act standards.

“Many students couldn’t use the buses even though they paid the fees,” Birge said. “Now, everyone can use them,”

The newer buses will also influence the image of the University, said Jason Boots, Plano, Texas, senior and student body president. The condition, functionality and cleanliness of the buses affect visitors’ and students’ impressions of the campus, he said.

“We project a negative image with old buses that spew particulate matter and aren’t suitable for our entire community,” Boots said.

Kate Edell, Rochester, Minn., junior, said she didn’t realize accessibility was such an issue because of the lift vans in use.

“It’s kind of a ridiculous to have to pay that much, but if it’s more convenient, it’s OK,” Edell said.

Boots said he expected to have the first fleet of buses running by next fall. He said he hoped to be able to purchase three brand new buses each year after that.

Kansan staff writer Ashlee Kieler can be contacted at akieler@kansan.com.

­— Edited by Ashley Thompson

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