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Park and ride - a free alternative in 2002


Free parking and free transit -- a good partnership. Parking is free at park-and-ride lots, and beginning Jan. 2, Chapel Hill Transit became fare-free. One of the most popular alternative commuting options for getting to campus is to use a park-and-ride lot.

Employees and students can drive to the park-and-ride lot of their choice, leave their cars and hop on the bus. For people who choose this option, the Department of Public Safety offers an Emergency Ride Back service -- in a true emergency situation (such as a call from school regarding a sick child), transportation back to a vehicle parked at a park-and-ride lot is available by calling 843-7671 (3-SOS1). Currently there are six recognized park-and-ride lots:

* Eubanks Road;

* Carrboro Plaza;

* P Lot;

* Southern Village (15-501 South);

* Friday Center (N.C. 54); and

* Franklin Street.

Beginning Jan. 7, Chapel Hill Transit started improving service to park-and-ride lots. The new HU route serves the N.C. 54 park-and-ride lot, providing express service from the lot to campus. The HU, in combination with the S route, provides service from the N.C. 54 park-and-ride lot to campus every five minutes during peak periods and every seven minutes during midday hours.

Additionally, Chapel Hill Transit has added "tripper" buses to selected routes at peak times to alleviate overcrowding. Any overcrowding that might occur during the first week is expected to dissipate as people use other bus routes now that they are all fare-free. Anyone who currently has a University parking permit and wishes to return it to take advantage of fare-free transit can receive a prorated refund.

For the future, park-and-ride location options are being explored on 15-501 North, Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro, as well as expansion of the Friday Center and PR lots.

The department is grateful to everyone who received and returned the transportation survey. The response was very gratifying. Many people took the time to write in-depth comments on the surveys. It is another indicator of the importance of transportation issues to the Carolina community.

Sponsored by Department of Public Safety

Writer: Debby Freed, Transportation Demand Management coordinator


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