2007-2008 Transportation Fee Report
University at Buffalo Comprehensive Fee
Background
The Transportation Fee component was instituted in 1986 in support of parking and transportation services for the University. The fee provides busing and shuttle services to all students for intra and inter campus transportation. The UB Stampede transports over 20,000 students each weekday, operating every 5 to 10 minutes during peak periods of the day (7:10 am - 6:30 pm), every 15 to 30 minutes afterwards, and on weekends, holidays, and summer sessions. Transportation for students with permanent or temporary disabilities is also provided through this Fee.
Shuttles operate on all UB Campuses, and serve to make campus travel easy, convenient, and safe. On the North Campus, shuttles service the Center for Tomorrow, Alumni, and Stadium Lots; Ellicott Complex; Academic Spine/Putnam Way; and the five student apartment complexes. They provide convenient pick-up and drop-off services to buildings throughout campus. On the South Campus, shuttles service key areas including Main Circle, Main/Bailey Lot, Clement Hall, Goodyear Hall, Squire Hall, Cary/Farber/Sherman, Diefendorf Loop, Clark Gym, and Hayes Hall. The shuttle also connects the South Campus with UB’s Downtown Circulator Shuttle at the Allen Medical Campus Station. The Downtown Circulator Shuttle seamlessly connects UB properties and affiliate institutions with service throughout the Downtown Campus. In total, the five color-coded shuttle lines transported over 250,000 passengers in 2007.
Information about campus parking, services, facilities, and University events and activities may be obtained from attendants staffing the University's Information Centers. The two centers, located at the Fronczak (North Campus) and Michael (South Campus) Lots, operate Monday through Friday, 7 am - 3 pm
Recent developments relevant to this component include:
- The Fee supports a proactive replacement schedule for our heavily used shuttle fleet. Two new shuttles were purchased.
- Assisted student outreach efforts by providing transportation for service groups such as "Be a Friend"
- Promoted campus service offerings, via enhanced transit advertising
- Delineators were added in lots to assist with winter parking
- Express shuttle provided transportation to Flint Loop for resident students temporarily housed in local hotels during the fall semester
- Downtown Campus Circulator Shuttle added to connect UB properties and affiliate institutions downtown
- South Campus Orange Line Shuttle route extended to provide connecting access to Downtown Campus
- Bicycle racks added to all UB Stampede buses
- Brought community bicycle lending program to campus. Installed 6 new bike racks in key areas
- Free bicycle registration is now offered
- Eight new parking meters added on Hamilton Loop to provide convenient short term parking near the Academic Spine
Parking lot enhancements, additions, and maintenance are inclusive in the Fee. Lighting, safety, snow removal, and Blue Light Safety Phones are all lot-related items.
Student Benefits/Impact
- Component supported UB Stampede recording an on-time percentage of 93% in Fall 2007, an increase of 3% from 2006
- Students can learn of campus-wide services, offerings, and events via a variety of transit marketing and advertising initiatives
- To welcome students back Opening Week, information aides were stationed at bus stops and rode the shuttles answering student questions, distributing maps and transit schedules
- Additional shopping opportunities were offered via expanded Mall/Market Shuttle service
- UB's Campus Advisory and Parking Radio Station provided information on traffic flow and alternative parking during special events and lot/road closings. Current listeners report the usefulness of information available on UB1620AM as very good to excellent.
- Regularly scheduled customer service training for drivers and parking office staff continues to positively impact our approach to interacting with students
- A satellite parking office was set up during Opening in the UB Card office in the Commons, allowing students to register for and receive their permits in a convenient, one-stop setting
- Given their demonstrated effectiveness, additional delineators were installed in parking lots to improve winter parking efforts
- Clinic parking on the South Campus enhances the ability of students to meet a variety of degree requirements with respect to applied patient care
- In 2007, over 3 million students were transported on UB's transit system. 3.1 million were transported by UB buses; over 250,000 on the color-coded shuttle system.
- In 2007, over 38,000 students were transported from UB to an area mall and supermarkets, providing an outlet for students to venture off campus for shopping, dining, etc.
- Two new parking shuttles were purchased in 2007-2008, greatly contributing to efficiency of, and satisfaction with, shuttle services
- Lot directional signage was added at the start of the semester for informational purposes and to promote Park and Ride alternatives
- Fifty-two Blue Light Telephones are accessible for the safety of students, staff, and visitors throughout our campuses
- Updates to campus maps provide students with the most current information on building, lot, and bike rack locations
- Ten parking shelters are provided and maintained to shelter students from inclement weather
- Inter campus transportation facilitates student travel to and from classes, libraries, meetings, etc., and is available seven days a week
- Students with disabilities are transported with a dedicated, accessible bus purchased with fee funds
- Shuttle service is provided on all campuses to facilitate travel within each campus and provide shuttle service from outlying and park/ride lots. By utilizing our shuttle, busing and bicycling services, students do not need a vehicle on campus or need to move their vehicle around campus.
- Students may register their bicycles for free. Registration deters theft and aids in recovery/return if stolen
- Component supports University Facilities maintenance, plowing, and lighting of campus parking lots
- Component supports funding to University Police. Officers provide routine patrols of lots, ensuring the safety of our students.
- Every student, including incoming freshmen, is allowed to register their vehicle and obtain a parking permit allowing them use of designated parking facilities on campuses
- Resident freshmen parking program has made a significant impact on perceptions of parking and transportation. Positive, long-term impacts include additional spaces available throughout the Spine, and increased reliance on transportation services. Almost 88% indicate they will use buses and shuttles again in sophomore year.
- Sophomores and juniors were surveyed to track the impact of the resident freshmen parking program years 2 and 3. 82.5% of sophomores and 57% of juniors reported that they voluntarily stayed parked in their residence lots and hopped on board, which positively impacts the number of available spaces on the Spine.
- Information booths are located on both campuses to direct visitors, new students, and their families to their destinations
- Enforcement of parking rules and regulations ensures the safe and orderly parking of vehicles
- Online vehicle registration and online parking ticket appeal processes serve to streamline operations to accommodate student needs
- Students are offered a feedback mechanism in the form of a survey tied to the online vehicle registration process
- The South Campus office provides a one-stop shop for students. In Harriman Hall, students may obtain their parking information, their UB Card, and handle their student account and/or advisement needs
- Students with classes, who may be impacted by a special event, are notified by targeted email two weeks prior to the event.
Student Access
- Students have access to our busing service from 7 am - 2 am, M - F. Weekend service is provided from 7 am - 2:30 am. Buses run every 5 to 10 minutes during peak periods of each weekday during the fall/spring semesters; every 15 to 30 minutes on weekends, holidays, and during the summer. Stops include Flint Loop, Flint Village*, Hadley Village*, Governors Residence Halls, Lee Loop (w/ connecting service to Ellicott), and the Ellicott Complex (weekends and after 5 pm) on the North Campus; and Goodyear Hall and Main Circle on the South Campus. (* indicates weekend only service)
- Campus shuttle services are available to all students, and serve to link outlying parking areas and buildings to key destinations within each campus. Each shuttle line is also a link to stops for buses running between the North and South Campuses. Shuttle service on the North and South Campuses is available 7 days a week between the hours of 7 am - 2 am. Circulator shuttle service Downtown is available M-F, 7 am – 7 pm
- Here is a brief description of campus shuttles services available to students:
- Red Line Shuttle: the Red Line operates Monday through Friday, 7 am to 1:40 am with departures every 15-30 minutes. This line services Creekside Village, the Ellicott Tunnel, and South Lake Village with stops at Alumni Arena, the Stadium Park and Ride Lot, Coventry Loop and locations along the Academic Spine. Over 93,000 passengers utilized this service last year.
- Yellow Line Shuttle: the Yellow Line operates Monday through Friday, 7:05 am - 1:40 am. A shuttle departs approximately every 20 minutes and services Flickinger Court and Hadley Village with stops along Putnam Way. 59,000 students have utilized this service in the last year.
- Green Line Shuttle: the Green Line operates Monday through Friday with departures every 10 - 20 minutes starting at 7 am from the Center for Tomorrow Park and Ride Lot with stops at Crofts Hall, Flint Loop, Flint Village and the Special Event lot. Over 98,000 passengers utilized the Green Line in 2007, a 22% increase.
- Orange Line Shuttle: the Orange Line services the South Campus, providing transportation from outlying parking areas and buildings and facilitating travel from one end of the campus to the other. This shuttle also provides a link to the UB Stampede stops at Main Circle and Goodyear Hall and the Downtown Campus Blue Line Circulator Shuttle. The Orange Line runs Monday through Friday 7:20 am to 8:00 pm. Over 5,600 individuals made use of the Orange Line in 2007, a 40% increase from 2006.
- Blue Line Circulator Shuttle: The Blue Line connects UB properties and affiliate institutions downtown, while also providing a link to the South Campus with a connection to the Orange Line at the Allen Medical Campus Station.
- North Campus Weekend Shuttle: the North Campus Weekend Shuttle services Creekside Village, Ellicott Complex, South Lake, Flickinger Court, and locations along the Academic Spine, 7 am - 2 am, on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Mall-Market Service: shopping at Tops and Wegmans supermarkets and/or the Boulevard Mall is convenient on Wednesdays and Saturdays with the Mall-Market Service. Operating 4 pm to 9 pm, a bus departs from the Ellicott Complex and Governors Residence Halls and makes drop-offs/pick-ups at Tops, Wegmans, and the Boulevard Mall. On the South Campus, the Mall-Market bus departs from Clement and Goodyear Halls with drop-offs and pick-ups at the University Plaza Tops, Wegmans, and the Boulevard Mall. Over 38,000 students used this service last year.
- Paratransit Shuttle Services: Paratransit transportation is provided for students with permanent or temporary disabilities, fulfilling their on-campus travel needs. There were 1,406 requests fulfilled in the past year.
- The bicycle program offers a healthy transportation alternative. Offerings in the bicycle program include:
- Access to a community bicycle lending program, Buffalo Blue Bicycle. Buffalo Blue Bicycle hubs are conveniently located throughout all 3 UB Campuses. In its first year at UB, Buffalo Blue Bicycle grew to 168 members and recorded 465 transactions
- Free bicycle registration is offered to deter theft and aid in recovery/return should a bike be stolen. 57 bicycles were registered in 2007
- Bicycle racks in key locations support over 300 bikes on campus
- Each UB Stampede bus is equipped with racks and can carry 2 bicycles
- Blue Light Phones are conveniently located at lots and walkways throughout campuses
- Hangtags; information; and campus parking and transportation maps are provided 8:30 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday at 102 Spaulding Quad or 104 Harriman Hall
- Student hangtags are available online. The web address is myub.buffalo.edu
(Note: You will need your UB IT name and password.) - Information regarding parking regulations; bus and shuttle schedules; and visitor parking information is available at www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu
- Parking violation information and the ability to appeal a ticket is accessible at www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu/parkvio
- Students may access and/or direct family and friends to our information booths for directions, maps, etc. Or visit us online at www.buffalo.edu/home/maps
Contact Information
Parking and Transportation Services
Parking and Transportation Services (North Campus)
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm
102 Spaulding Quad (716) 645-3943
Parking and Transportation Services (South Campus)
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm
104 Harriman Hall (716) 829-2887
Information Booth (North Campus)
Monday - Friday 7 am - 3 pm
Fronczak Lot
Information Booth (South Campus)
Monday - Friday 7 am - 3 pm
Michael/Farber Lot
Email comments or questions regarding:
Busing
Parking
Expenditure Plan
Transportation Services: $3,889,807
Provides safe, timely and convenient transportation (bus and shuttle) services within and between UB's campuses.
- 24 buses in the UB Stampede fleet
- 14 shuttles in the UB Park & Ride fleet, (inclusive of 2 new vehicles)
- Transit advertising offerings
- Convenient bus and shuttle stops and routes
- Mall/market service
- New shuttle buses purchased
- Dedicated paratransit service for students with disabilities
- Color-coded shuttles enhance Park & Ride options
- Bicycle racks on each bus
Fast Facts
Shuttles:
- Score of 4.26 out of 5 with respect to cleanliness of vehicles
- Score of 4.50 out of 5 with respect to general comfort on shuttles
- General satisfaction with shuttles: 4.19 out of 5
- Overall efficiency (keeping to schedule): shuttles 3.83
- Driver courtesy: 4.58 out of 5 on shuttles
- 250,000 passengers utilized the intra-campus shuttles in 2007
- Over 38,000 students utilized the mall/market shuttle in 2007
Buses:
- 92% rated comfort excellent-good on buses
- 93% reported excellent-good satisfaction with buses
- 82% rated bus efficiency excellent-good
- 91.5% ranked bus driver courtesy excellent-good
- 3.1 million passengers transported in 2007
Parking Services: $2,606,193
Provides and maintains sufficient, convenient, and safe parking for students, faculty, staff and visitors
- Convenient and orderly parking throughout campuses
- Lot directional signs utilized at beginning of semester to aide with way finding and Park & Ride promotion
- University Police patrols
- Parking enforcement
- Visitor information booths
- Parking meters/short-term parking
- Lot maintenance/snow removal/delineators added
- Resident Freshmen Parking Policy in third year
- Online vehicle registration
- Online appeal process
- Campus Advisory & Parking Radio Station, 1620AM
- Information aides in lots during opening week of semester: riding along with students, providing information and guidance
- Managed event parking for more than 60 events in 2007
- Winter parking restrictions in residential areas to aid in snow removal efforts
Fast Facts
- 90% of survey respondents indicate spaces are clearly marked
- 82% agreed that signage is easily seen and 91.5% feel the text is understandable
- 425 football patrons were surveyed and 97% reported being satisfied to very satisfied with their special event parking experience
Student Perceptions:
- Clean Lots: 90.5%
- Lighting: 74% indicate lighting in lots is sufficient
- Surface Conditions: 82% feel surfaces are well maintained
- 19,500 student parking permits were issued; 67.4% of those were issued through online process
- Over 16,000 parking spaces managed and maintained
- Over 88% of freshmen residents report they will continue to use transportation services in future years
- 82.5% of sophomores and 57% of juniors report they voluntarily stay parked in their residence lot
- 28,100 parking violations issued in 2006, an 15% increase from 2005
- 7,800 appeals processed, 50% submitted through online process
- Ranked 1st out of 4 SUNY Centers for parking facilities
FAQs
Q. How do I get to the University at Buffalo?
A. From the Parking & Transportation website, click on our "Campus Map & Visitor Information" link or visit us at www.buffalo.edu/home/maps
.
Q. I own two vehicles. How do I obtain another permit/hangtag?
A. Each individual is allotted one permit. The permits are transferable between vehicles. To add another vehicle to a permit or change the vehicle information assigned to your permit, simply call our office or email us.
Q. I do not utilize the busing service. Why should I pay the transportation fee?
A. The fee pays for much more than our busing contract. It also pays for shuttle services, lot maintenance, lot safety patrols, Blue Light Phones, snow removal, information booths, lot construction, shelters, etc.
Q. If I can't find a parking spot before my morning class, what can I do?
A. Make our Park & Ride Lots your first choice. On the North Campus, Park & Ride service is available from the Center for Tomorrow, Stadium, and Alumni parking lots, on the South Campus the Main/Bailey and Parker Lots are designated Park and Ride locations. Shuttles run every 10 - 30 minutes with convenient drop offs at academic buildings and student apartment complexes. View an up to date shuttle schedule: www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu/transport.
Q. Can I register for my permit on-line?
A. Students, faculty and staff, may register online for their permits via MyUB. (Note: You will need your UB IT name and password.)
Q. Can freshmen bring cars to campus?
A. Yes. Freshmen can apply for their parking permit at their orientation, online, or at one of our offices. Resident freshmen are asked to leave their vehicles in their residence hall lot or a Park & Ride lot, 7 am-3 pm, Monday through Friday. Commuter freshmen may park in any student lot.
Q. How do I receive my parking permit?
A. When registering online, you will be given a choice of pick-up locations. A mailing option is available only when registering for the next year's permit between April and August. A mailing date will appear at the bottom of the final screen. A permit can be also obtained in person at 102 Spaulding Quad on the North Campus or 104 Harriman Hall on the South Campus. You will need your UB Card or driver's license and your car information, (make, model, license plate #).
Q. Do I need to pay for my parking permit? How much are permits?
A. A portion of the student's Transportation Fee is designated for their permit. There is no additional cost to students. For faculty/staff members the cost is $6.50.
Q. Where can I pay my tickets?
A. You may pay tickets in person at 104 Harriman Hall on the South Campus, 102 Spaulding Quad on the North Campus, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm or at Student Response Center, 232 Capen Hall on the North Campus. The parking offices will also accept credit card payments over the phone.
Q. What should I do if I lose a ticket?
A. Simply call our office and we can look up lost tickets via your license plate number.
Q. How can I appeal my ticket?
A. Stop by either of our two offices to complete a 1st-step appeal form or go to www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu/parkvioform.
Q. Where can my friend park on weekends?
A. There is no permit enforcement in lots during the weekends. They must, however, be in a designated parking space and must abide by normal parking rules and regulations; i.e. cannot park in handicap spaces; fire lanes; student village lots, etc. or they may be ticketed. If your friend is visiting during a weekday, stop by either of our offices for a guest permit. Overnight parking policies must be adhered to.
Q. Where can I park overnight during the winter months?
A. Winter parking regulations annually go into effect November 15 and are enforced through April 15. During this time period, overnight parking is only allowed in designated spaces and lots between the hours of midnight and 6:30 am. View a list of designated areas by visiting: www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu/overni.
Q. Do you provide transportation for shopping?
A. Our Mall/Market shuttle operates Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4 pm until 9 pm. Students on the North and South Campuses can enjoy shopping at Tops, Wegmans, and the Boulevard Mall. Visit us at www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu/mshuttle for more information!
Q. What transportation is provided for the Downtown Campus?
A. The Downtown Campus Circulator Shuttle, the Blue Line, connects UB properties and affiliate institutions and provides access to the South Campus via a connection to the Orange Line Shuttle at the Allen Medical Campus Station. Employees, students and visitors to buildings in UB’s Downtown Campus can show the driver ID from a UB property or affiliated institution and hop on board the Blue Line. A schedule is available here: www.ub-parking.buffalo.edu/dtown.
Q. Can I park at a meter?
A. Parking meters require payment 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday. Meters accept quarters only. Rates vary per location. Parking permits are not valid at meters. If a meter is broken, do not park there. Report broken meters via the web or by calling 645-7329.
Q. What is the Buffalo Blue Bicycle program and how does it work?
A. Buffalo Blue Bicycle is a lending program that gives members access to a fleet of metallic blue bicycles throughout the Buffalo area. More than 30 bicycles are available from seven on-campus hubs. Members pay $25 a season or donate 6 hours volunteer time. They just log in, select a bicycle and are given a lock code. Bicycles can be returned to any Buffalo Blue Bicycle hub. To become a member, go to www.buffalobluebicycle.org
or call (716) 851-4052.
