Originally published April 12, 2011 at 7:31 p.m., updated April 12, 2011 at 7:31 p.m.
If they’re elected, members of the Renew KU coalition have some specific goals for transportation both on- and off-campus that they’d like to see enacted to make student transportation easier and safer.
Josh Dean, vice-presidential candidate, said that the coalition wants to take a comprehensive review of where transportation signs and markings are placed, especially unmarked off-campus bus stops. Currently, Dean said, none of the off-campus bus stops are marked. Instead of looking at a particular section of KU on Wheels stops, Dean said that the coalition would like to take an inventory of all the Lawrence bus stops. That way, Dean said, the proper signs could be made all at once.
Casey Briner, presidential candidate, said Renew KU has also proposed that a Safebus route be extended to the west Clinton Parkway area. Renew KU chose the area because of its proximity to student housing, such as The Grove and The Legends. In the past year, Briner said, there were three fatal accidents in the Clinton Parkway area at night.
“It’s only a matter of time before we have a student fatality out there because somebody’s trying to get home and they don’t have a way to drive,” Briner said.
Dean said that the addition of a new Safebus route to that area would cost about $2 per student per semester.
To make transportation more affordable and student-friendly, the KUnited coalition has some ideas they’d like to see enacted for the next school year if its members are elected into office.
Libby Johnson, presidential candidate, said the first improvement the coalition would like to see is an addition to the Safebus routes that go through Lawrence. Like the Renew KU coalition, KUnited has proposed a route that would be extended down Clinton Parkway near popular student apartment complexes.
The KUnited coalition also proposed the addition of bike rentals on campus. Johnson said that Student Senate would develop a system that would offer bikes to students, making them available to rent for short and long terms. Gabe Bliss, vice-presidential candidate, said KUnited estimated that the bike rental would cost less than $7 per day, which is approximately the same price as two gallons of gas.
“We want to make sure we can give affordable options for our students so they can be on campus, focusing on their studies,” he said.
In addition, KUnited would like to focus on on-campus parking for the next school year. Johnson said that KUnited would like to make signs in parking lots clearer and more visible so that students are more aware of parking regulations. Bliss said KUnited also proposed an addition to the KU Parking and Transit maps online that would provide students with an interactive map. This map would allow students to see which lots they’re allowed to park in, select a lot to check its availability or search a building to see which lots are nearby.
— Edited by Amanda Sorell
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Comments
Candidates propose transit changes
7 bucks a day to rent a bike? One, I don't use two gallons of gas daily so that comparison doesn't matter; and secondly in 10-15 days of renting a bike someone could have just as easily bought themselves a brand new bike. There is no logic in this bike rental thing...
Candidates propose transit changes
Who uses 2 gallons per day in gas just to go to class/work? And if you do have to travel that much, why would you take a bike and not a car? Bikes are nice for short travel... but not for $7/day.
Candidates propose transit changes
Both groups are all about spending more money rather than trying to save money. In these times that becomes critical. Today there will be rent for bicycles but in a couple of semesters there will be a call for subsidized rent or free rental. Neither group deserves or will get my vote.
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