UAF faculty, staff and employees get a free ride on Fairbanks borough buses
Published Friday, July 25, 2008
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Stumble It!Correction: The original story contained an incorrect date for the start of the free program. The start date is Sept. 1. The story below has been corrected.
FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly voted Thursday to waive bus fares for students, professors and employees at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for a yearlong trial run.
If it proves popular and cost-effective, public officials have indicated the project could become a long-term deal.
Riders affiliated with the university — part-time students count, too — can show drivers their student identification cards to secure free rides on the borough’s six routes starting Sept. 1.
Interim university chancellor Brian Rogers said the school has seen signs that the high costs of gasoline and energy costs could be leading fewer students to sign up for services.
“(Free ridership) supports those students and staff for whom high energy costs are becoming a real burden and barrier” to education, Rogers said.
The borough estimates one in six people riding its bus lines get on or off at the university’s Wood Center. The assembly will need to review the program’s progress next year.
Borough transportation director Glenn Miller said the program would also reduce the number of cars on the road and help ease the community’s air pollution problems. A successful program — one that draws more riders — would also make the borough eligible for more federal transit assistance, he said.
The university will pay the borough approximately $20,000 this year to compensate for lost ridership fares. If the pilot project proves successful, the two sides could strike a longer-term deal that would leave the university paying an estimated $200,000 or more each year.
Officials from the university and the borough hatched the idea during Rogers’ transition into office; prior to that, Miller said, the idea had been “floating around” for three or four years.
“This is the way an institution like the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the community should cooperate,” borough Mayor Jim Whitaker said. “So it’s good work.”
Community Discussion
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How about getting rid of the mandatory decals that cost any where from $100 to 300 per employee?
I think it is nice to have free bus rides, wonder if the U will get a grant to study the affects of this project? So ppossibly $200,000 the U will pay to keep the program going? I guess more employees being fired is coming. Maybe they should cut the U President salary from the $400,000 yearly he receives or some of the other executive managers salaries. Since they receive retention offers and pay raises quite offen. Think of the savings students and employees would have if it happen. (but it won't) Do as I say and not as I do.
We students at UAF have been screaming about the sudden pay increases for years now. We would come back for another sem. just to find a new service fee or tuition increase. Than we've find out that the chancellor or Pres. got a sudden raise or bonus. Every Sem. I feel like I'm getting screwed. I also wish somebody would investigate the accounting department at UAF
What about everyone else who lives or works in Fairbanks??? I guess only UAF people matter up here.
How about getting rid of some of the employees. Do you really need 1 employee per student?
How about free lunch programs, after all nobody pays for them do they?
Just take the money out of my pocket and give it to whoever you wish, who cares its just money... UA teaching at its best, yes there are free lunches, for some....
UAF will pay $20,00 the first year and the $200,000 or more there after. Exactly where is the University coming up with these funds? Maybe you students aren't getting a free ride after all.
Headline should have read "UAF Employees Get Free Ride...Students Get Taken for Ride"
BigMike: They are getting rid of employees! and that money is going to the executives. The employees that are left working it is not 1 employee per student believe me. I handle over 350 students, faculty, staff and others just by myself.and have yet to see a bonus, pay raise, step increase, out of class pay or anything. That is why I am looking for another job!
A couple of months ago DNM published a story that showed that the faculty and staff equaled the number of students.
Please, its finally come true. There is a free lunch
"UAF faculty, staff and employees get a free ride on Fairbanks borough buses"
Does that mean the students don't get to ride for free?
THE FOX LINE: Fairbanks to Fox, catch the bus at Fox general store save on gas, less congestion in Fairbanks.
HEY!!! Where did $20,000 come from!? My tax dollars that got earmarked for costs at UAF? No Way!! Look-- This town is only about 5 miles(ish) square. The average person walks an average of 4-6 mph.That about puts you anywhere in town in about an hr.
Then if you happen to be one of those blessed UAF students w/ a car-- how fast can you get to the U? And if your car got only 15-20 mpg. that still is cheaper per year than $20,000!!!!
Get another job to help support the economy or a smaller car. Or don't drive unnessasarily! Or better yet Fairbanks, make free rides available to EVERYONE!!!!! That should send a hint to the fuel moguls!!!
(evil laugh ) BAWAAAAAA!
Like any of that is going to happen!!!
(former student)
The trial run is a good idea before implementing a long term plan.
There are a number of universities around the country that have similar agreements with their city’s public transportation. I think the goal is to provide transportation to the students and faculty at a low cost while decreasing fuel consumption. UAF is a great school, its too bad costs of education are rising, but they are rising across the country. I hope UAF students will take advantage of the test trial and UAF will enter into long-term agreement. If more UAF students ride the bus, the city might create new routes which would make taking the bus more convenient.
A lot of UAF students ride the city's public transportation buses. It has got to be better than "X" number of additional cars on the slippery streets causing more ice fog. Who knows, "Y"our safety and health might be at stake. Don't know about you, but I sleep a little better knowing that our future leaders are getting to school. X+Y=Z
This is the same thing that they did with the sports programs.
Instead of paying to see games that you want to see, students are now forced to pay for a season pass for all games. Instead of paying for a bus token or pass when you need one, all students are now forced to pay for an unlimited pass.
Love them Liberals.... Vote some more of them in office.
Where's my free lunch ?
Are you kidding me, that this would not include the general public.I am surely mistaken. All the dui's, loss of people who can even afford a car or upkeep!We took the "free rides" from the success of the Anch. program.I use the system in the valley, it just went up, but it is sure less then all that goes with owning a car, but I think Fbks., needs to have free North Pole and Salcha to & from town. Public Transportation is not supposed to be profitable!Just thinkin' out loud!
Ahem... taxis? They show up at your door. You don't need to freeze your butt off waiting for the bus in cold weather. They aren't taxpayer funded.
Or
Bulldoze the University Police department to make more parking?
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