UCCS students, as well as a few faculty and staff, lost some off-campus parking spaces this semester but the change is beneficial, according to UCCS parking and transportation officials.
Russ Wilcox, manager, transportation services, and William “Whit” Whitfield, manager, parking services, believe the free campus parking and shuttle service works more effectively following the Cragmor Christian Reformed Church’s decision to ban public weekday use of a parking lot on Acacia Drive. As a result of the church’s actions, an additional bus was added to the shuttle schedule. The change makes transportation for campus community members from outlying lots to main campus more efficient.
“Buying a parking permit is an individual decision,” Whitfield said. “The university offers free parking to those who don’t have permits.”
Whitfield said there is more demand for student parking permits than space available. More than two permits per space are sold and given the various schedules students keep, a reasonable number of spaces for permit parking is available. For those who do not have permits, free parking and the shuttles are options.
“Lots 11, 12, 14 and 4 Diamonds all offer free parking,” Wilcox said. “And since we added another bus to the shuttle schedule, the runs are more efficient.”
He added that lots 11, 12 and 14 are all in near proximity to Four Diamonds Sports Complex and its Mountain Lion shuttle stop.
Wilcox noted that the Mountain Lion shuttles use local roadways while an internal shuttle system remains on campus running regularly between Alpine Village housing and University Hall. The Mountain Lion shuttles run every 5 to 10 minutes though weather conditions, traffic and other factors can affect the schedule.
Whitfield emphasized that safety is a priority and that Four Diamonds is well lighted, has an emergency phone, and is patrolled regularly. In addition, snow is removed and trash picked up.
The managers are proud of the progress made in serving and transporting the UCCS community as more residential students were added and classroom buildings constructed on former parking lots. State funds cannot be used for parking.
In 2009, UCCS shuttles transported 204,127 passengers. In 2010, 229,563 passengers were transported, a 12.4 percent increase. He expects another increase in 2011.
“There is a lot of planning involved,” Wilcox said. “We try to be proactive and anticipate campus needs.”
Leave a Reply