GSA president’s plan screeches to a halt

Thursday, May 28, 1998

GSA president’s plan screeches to a halt

FEES: Advisory committee rejects proposal for bus pass program
due to lack of details

By Laura Luu

Daily Bruin Contributor

For nearly a year, GSA president Andrew Westall has been revving
the engine behind what he considers to be the "solution" to the
transportation nightmare at UCLA.

His proposal, The Bruin Card Bus Pass Pilot Program, would allow
all UCLA students to use their Bruin Card as a universal bus pass.
This way, students would be able to ride all transit lines that
currently serve the UCLA campus at no cost.

This week, however, the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC)
threw a wrench into the wheels of Westall’s plan. As the committee
that advises the chancellor on which programs to fund, SFAC did not
find Westall’s proposal sturdy enough to recommend funding.

"We needed evidence that this was going to work," said Ray Zak,
UCLA’s Cultural Recreation Affairs Director and a member of
SFAC.

Above all, SFAC was hesitant about the amount of money required
for the pilot program. After putting aside half a million for
reserve, the committee has 1.5 million to allocate.

Westall’s plan called for $597,000, a third of SFAC’s temporary
funds.

Mark Stocki, head of Transportation Services, shared Zak’s
concern. Before further consideration of the proposal, Stocki would
like to see more studies conducted, especially on the possibilities
of better transit service.

"Before we make a major commitment with university dollars, I
want to be sure I know all the facts," Stocki said.

According to Stocki, more studies need to be conducted, since
Los Angeles has a unique and complex transportation culture. The
most important aspect is to create a balance where the service is
cost-effective and will meet the needs of the students.

"We have to look at the larger picture. (The Bus Pass Program)
is not the ‘solution,’ but a piece in a rather complex jigsaw
puzzle," Stocki said.

Westall’s proposal included information from other universities
which have successfully implemented similar bus pass programs.

But Zak cannot rely on other universities. "We loved the
concept, but Los Angeles is different from other universities," he
said.

Another reason SFAC did not recommend Westall’s program was a
lack of information; specifically, a survey from Transportation
Services and evidence of bus contracts.

"He needed to present the proposal with the full information,"
Zak said.

However, Transportation Services conducted a survey asking 6,000
students questions relating to the bus program. The results have
not been released, although Westall alleges that the information
has been compiled since the beginning of April.

"We have not withheld any information," said Patricia Menton,
associate director of Transportation Communications and
Marketing.

"The results are not finalized. At this point, the information
is in raw data form and will not be available for release until
mid-June," she continued.

According to Stocki, the key to garnering more interest in
public transportation is not giving it away for free, but instead
to improve the service. Until that happens, there won’t be a
significant increase in ridership.

"If this bus pass program provides the numbers, then wonderful,
but I don’t think the numbers will bear out," said Stocki.

Westall is disappointed in this lack of enthusiasm and
cooperation. "Ultimately, they don’t believe in anything except
parking," he said.

But Stocki feels that Transportation Services cannot ignore the
fact that there is a demand for parking spaces.

"My job is to build more parking," he said. "We have one of the
largest parking systems in the world."

Stocki says that Westall’s program is too focused on one type of
transportation alternative. Transportation Services emphasizes the
big picture, offering vanpools, carpools, and promoting the use of
public transit, bicycling and walking.

Although it seems Westall’s program has come to a screeching
halt, he is already contemplating other ways to acquire
funding.

He is looking into the possibilities of using university funds
and has a lunch scheduled with Chancellor Albert Carnesale next
week.

"It doesn’t hurt to ask (him for funds)," Westall said.

Westall is satisfied with the progress the program as attained
thus far. "It takes a few years to get (a plan) off the ground," he
said.

In hindsight, Westall said he would have placed the proposal on
a general ballot this year in conjunction with his efforts with
SFAC. Instead of relying so heavily on the survey promised by
Transportation Services, he would have gone through student affairs
to conduct a survey and establish contracts with the bus
companies.

"I would have relied more on myself," he said.

Since Westall’s term is nearing its end, it will be up to next
year’s GSA president and staff to carry on Westall’s efforts.

The program has enormous potential since the groundwork has
already been laid out, said Westall.