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St. Cloud State University
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MTC use skyrockets
By Cathy Kropp
Published:
Monday, October 6, 2003
Media Credit: Ryan Henry
MTC use has increased significantly this year because of free admission and parking problems on and around campus. This year the city requires a parking permit on city streets.
The MTC bus system is growing in popularity due to the trial free ride system and the frustration of students dealing with continuous parking problems on campus.
Starting in September, commuters with an SCSU ID could ride the Metro bus for free. The turnout for the program is better than anyone expected. David Tripp, executive director of the St. Cloud MTC was pleasantly surprised to see the numbers rise, even during the stretch of warm weather the area experienced in early September.
"As it gets colder, the ridership always rises, but we are reaching high numbers during 75 degree weather," Tripp said.
Official statistics for the month of September, when compared to numbers from September of 2002, show an increase in the number of riders on all four campus routes. These routes include the southeast, northeast and west clippers and the university route.
The northeast clipper has seen the greatest increase with a 75 percent rise. The west clipper numbers rose 67 percent and the university route numbers increased by 42 percent. The southeast clipper saw the smallest increase, up 24 percent.
In fact, the number of riders is growing so rapidly that this week the MTC will be proposing an additional service plan for the campus routes. This proposal would include 1,700 hours a year of added service and would cost the MTC an additional $60,000 per year to implement.
The only campus bus that saw a decrease in ridership was the Husky Shuttle. Tripp believes that construction on campus is to blame for the 5 percent drop.
"Because of the detours, what should be a five minute trip is turned into a 15 or 20 minute trip," Tripp said.
The MTC will begin discussions soon with the university in regards to the success of the program. Tripp hopes that the university decides to continue supporting the free ride plan.
"We want this (free fare) to become a permanent feature of the university," Tripp said.
Many students are turning to the bus system due to frustration with the other parking options. One such option is purchasing a parking permit for on-campus lots. Some students are turned off by the price, which ranges from $100 to $200, while others are discouraged by the fact that the campus oversells many of the lots.
"Some lots are oversold in an effort to try to maximize the use of the lots and to support the demand of the commuters," said Miles Heckendorn, public safety director at SCSU.
SCSU senior Jessica Rhoten is frustrated with the permit situation at SCSU and instead takes the Metro bus to campus.
"I am not going to pay $100 for a permit and get there and not find a spot anyway," Rhoten said.
Some students are finding street spots to be restricted as well, now that the city charges $225 plus tax for a permit to park on campus streets. Senior Jen Knee is angry that the city implemented this new plan.
"It's ridiculous that the city bought these streets. It really limits everyone's parking," Knee said.
Stephen Gaetz, director of public services for the city, sees the new plan as fair, especially since the university charges for lot parking.
If it is appropriate for the school to charge, then it is appropriate for us to charge," Gaetz said.
Gaetz added that the city sees the permits as a possible way to generate funds to help pay for street maintenance in the campus area. Gaetz acknowledges that the university is a great asset to the community, but it also creates a huge burden in cost. Because the university does not pay property taxes, they do not pay for street maintenance.
"The revenue coming in from permits doesn't begin to pay for street maintenance but it's a start," Gaetz said.
Tripp points out that the parking situation is not one that is going to solve itself anytime soon, but sees the metro system as an effective alternative to driving.
"It is just not realistic to have free parking right at the doorstep," Tripp said. "But the goal with free ride is to show folks who live in the service area that we can meet their needs."
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