Transportation Services to hold forums

Facing the prospect of a budget deficit, UW Transportation Services is evaluating program changes that will affect all members of the campus community.

Charging for a portion of the employee bus pass, offering evening permit options, and increased control of departmental permits are among the strategies the department is analyzing.

UW Transportation Services Director Patrick Kass describes the department’s current operations as unsustainable and considers substantial changes to the business model to be imperative in order to avoid significant, recurring increases to permit rates or cuts to services offered.

Due to the wide-reaching impacts of these changes, the department is asking for input from faculty, staff, students, visitors and nearby residents. Kass recognizes the importance of stakeholder involvement.

“I encourage everyone to attend the open forums to help us develop program options that will resolve our existing financial situation while positioning us to meet our customers’ needs in the future,” said Kass.

In an effort to enable as many community members as possible to attend, the sessions have been scheduled for a variety of times and locations:

• Tuesday, April 20, 4 — 6 p.m. at the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. (Check Today in the Union for the room.)
• Wednesday, May 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Ebling Symposium Center in the Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Dr.
• Thursday, May 6, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room in University Square, 333 E. Campus Mall
• Tuesday, May 25, 9 – 11 a.m., Room 1335 in the Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Ave.

Attendees are encouraged to come and go as they are able. The first half of each session will consist of an open information fair with posters describing program history, the department’s financial situation, future challenges, and potential changes that will either reduce expenses or increase revenues.

Transportation Services staff members will be on hand to answer questions and provide further information. The second half will consist of a presentation by Patrick Kass, followed by a question and answer period.

Those who are unable to attend are encouraged to visit http://www.wisc.edu/trans and click on “2010 Open House Forums” to find a complete summary of topics to be discussed during the forums as well as online feedback forms for submitting their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions to the department.