I’ve read with dismay over the past week that LTD is planning on cutting several key bus routes that service campus (most notably the 73, 76 and the Breeze) due to the financial crunch being caused by rising gas prices. I don’t blame LTD for doing what it needs to do – given the current state of our economy, we’re seeing cutbacks everywhere. Services that rely on gasoline are especially vulnerable.
I do, however, blame the University for not stepping forward to help LTD continue to provide service for University students. Currently, LTD receives more than $800,000 in student fees to make the bus system free to all students. As far as I can tell, however, LTD receives no funding from the University itself.
And don’t be fooled – the University benefits immensely from the easy access to bus transportation that University students enjoy. The bus system gives the University a tremendous recruiting advantage, especially among graduate students. Routes like the 73 allow graduate students such as myself to live farther from campus to better stretch our limited GTF pay.
More importantly, though, elimination of these routes will result in a parking crisis of epic proportions. The University neighborhood south of campus will be choked with the cars of students who were formerly reliant on the eliminated routes. These students will have to spend more money buying gas and wasting gasoline they would have preferred to save by riding the bus. The neighborhood residents will be (understandably) unhappy with the University for not working to prevent this inconvenience.
I know finances are tight for the University as well, but preventing the elimination of these crucial services needs to be moved to the top of the University’s priority list. Doing so will enhance the University’s ability to recruit top-notch students, preserve the University’s “green” reputation, and protect the University’s relationship with Eugene residents. Most importantly, it will help maintain the quality of life for students who are already paying enough to attend classes here and can ill afford an extra tank of gas each month to drive to campus.
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University should assist LTD to provide service
Daily Emerald
October 22, 2008
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