Despite a report from a consulting firm that stated UB has a sufficient number of parking spaces, administrators and students both say there is still work ahead in order to ensure the university maintains a convenient and efficient parking and transportation system.
One of the key points presented by Chance Management - the firm hired by the university to investigate parking problems at UB - in its Feb. 13 presentation was that the current number of parking spots is ample. While there was not sufficient data to call the parking shortage a dilemma, UB's Office of Parking and Transportation said there is room for improvement.
While some students believe the only solution is to create additional parking spots, some agree that if properly utilized, there are enough spaces available.
"There should be specific parking places for residents and commuters," said Andrea Eddy, a junior communication major.
Other students blame the parking and transportation problem on the belief that college students lead a sedentary lifestyle.
"People complain too much about having to walk," said Russel Goodman, senior electrical engineering major.
According to Maria Wallace, assistant director of parking and transportation, UB's main focus is to improve bussing and shuttle services, which allow students easier access to parking spots located further from their classrooms.
"We have to be more conscious about the service and the timeliness of the service," Wallace said. "We can't hold our part of the agreement without providing quality service."
Randall Stein, a senior mathematics and economics major, agreed that the quality of the bus and shuttle service needs to be improved.
"There could be more buses around 4 or 5 p.m.," Stein said. "It's really crowded and sometimes you're stuck out in the cold."
According to Transportation Coordinator Christopher Austin, the Office of Parking and Transportation is looking for ways to provide information to students and receive feedback as part of an effort to increase awareness of available parking options and the bus and shuttle service.
"The lines are there, but it's letting the students know that we're there and follow up on the information they provide," said Austin.
Wallace said buses and shuttles will soon contain comment cards for students to voice their concerns. In addition, plans are being made for the campus cable station to broadcast a video explaining the parking and transportation services and policies.
"It talks about the shuttle bus, the buses that go around campus, where you find us, how not to get a ticket, where not to park, how to appeal the ticket," Wallace said. "The video itself is about nine minutes, but it tells people what it is we do in a short period of time."
Eddy said the opportunity for students to give feedback regarding the bus and shuttle service will be much appreciated.
"It's awful. I think there's a huge problem," Eddy said. "The parking office seems to stay on top of some things. I've seen so many cars parked in places they shouldn't be."
Wallace said she hopes students utilize the comment cards and continue to inform the Office of Parking and Transportation with any complaints.
"We do follow up on every single complaint," she said. "If a bus is late, we will contact Coach USA."
Though many students express a great deal of dissatisfaction with the current transportation system, there are also others who are content with it.
"It's nice. It comes frequently," said Gilbert Romanowski, a senior aerospace engineering major. "Not always on time, but it's good. There's a lot of buses, especially if you want to go to South Campus."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
