Save the 'Park and Ride'

One of the most persistent issues on campus is parking. In the students' eyes, IU doesn't do much to alleviate the problem. Stiff fines, expensive permits and overbooked slots leave many of us sitting in traffic hoping that a new parking space will just materialize in front of us.\nOf course, that never happens. So, most people eventually shell out for an E permit and park at the stadium. But, another parking place exists for south-side and/or frugal students and faculty. The "Park and Ride" carries students from the Bryan Park parking lot up to campus every ten minutes all day long. And it may be in jeopardy.\nIn short, we invade a neighborhood everyday with our cars and buses and have subsequently ticked off its occupants. A year ago, they complained to the appropriate authorities, and now the Bloomington planning office is conducting surveys to see what changes can be made.\nTheir grievances are simple. Several residents said the bus runs too frequently and produces too much pollution. The commuters increase the traffic load on the narrow streets in that area. On top of that, all the spaces are filled, leaving patrons of Bryan Park out of luck with no place to park.\nTheir optimum solution is to nix the location all together. Victoria Witte, the co-architect of the complaints, would like to see the ride moved to an empty lot along major roads, such as the old Thompson television plant parking lot on Rogers and Grimes Streets. This gets the bus out of residential neighborhoods and onto roads that can handle the traffic load.\nBarring that solution, Witte suggested that the Bloomington Transit at least "tailor the runs to times of heavy use," thereby reducing the total number of runs, and possibly alternate the route so it is not always passing the same houses.\nMoving the Park and Ride across town is not a good solution. One of the brilliant things about the current location is it is close to campus and does not get caught in the traffic of our thoroughfares. Frankly, running a bus all the way from the Thompson plant at peak hours would take too long to be worth it.\nHowever, I heartily agree that the timetable -- 64 times a day -- is a bit obnoxious. And, even though I am a strict proponent that roads are meant to be driven on, I fully understand that the diesel exhaust and noise of 64 buses could be a bit overbearing at times.\nSo here's the idea: First, we take Witte's suggestion and cut down the number of runs. The buses aren't always full and I'm sure that the 7:20 and 7:30 a.m. buses could be consolidated.\n Second, the parking problem plagues both park patrons and commuters alike. Neither group can find adequate parking because people abuse the privilege and use the lot for free long-term parking. Even at one in the morning that lot is nearly full. If the city eliminated this practice there would most likely be enough parking spaces for everybody involved. \n So, bring out those battalions of meter-persons. Chalk, ticket and tow the long-termers in the name of free parking for park and University alike. It's to everybody's advantage.\nHowever, this will only happen if the city knows you support the Park and Ride. Tonight at 6 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library is the last of the public forums on the Park and Ride, so get down there and tell them how great the Park and Ride is.\nAnd honestly, even if they reduce the number of runs, it's not that far to campus. Use the Park and Walk.