Get out of your car. You don’t need a car all the time. 

Promoting alternative transportation is not new to UNM Parking and Transportation Services (PATS), but on Tuesday, Nov. 10, the UNM community is going to see a first‐of‐a‐kind tribute to alternative transportation – the grand opening of a Transportation Information Center (TIC) in the UNM Student Union Building.

Dedicated to promoting and enhancing alternative transportation, the TIC seeks to encourage the UNM community to spend less time in their vehicles.

“The TIC will make alternative transportation more visible on UNM’s campus and will provide information necessary to make alternative transportation more accessible,” said Cynthia Martin, PATS’ Program Planning Manager. “We know there are people in the UNM community who use alternative transportation exclusively to commute; we also know there is a larger group of people who are interested in alternative transportation, but for whatever reason, whether it be lack of information or inexperience or scheduling conflicts, don’t take advantage of the programs available to them at UNM.”

And there is a full platform of programs available to UNM users. UNM students, staff, and faculty receive free ABQRide bus passes to be used anytime and to anywhere within the ABQRide system; PATS provides a shuttle twice‐daily between the UNM campus and NM Railrunner landing in downtown Albuquerque; secure bicycle storage is available through PATS’ bicycle locker program; and Zipcar, a national car‐sharing service, is available to UNM and the community, with three cars available to use and rent by the hour available right on campus.

“We want to demonstrate that alternative transportation can in fact be useable and even convenient. By mixing modes of transportation, for example using the bus and using Zipcar for errands or appointments, there is a lot of flexibility and convenience available to people who want to take advantage of alternative transportation,” said Martin. “Plus, you can save a lot of money not only in reduced fuel costs, but in reduced maintenance from less wear and tear on your vehicle.”

The TIC will not only provide information about the programs available and how to use them, but will provide a unique trip‐planning service to customers. People who visit the TIC can receive custom one‐on‐one trip‐planning advice from staff at the kiosk. By providing a starting point and a destination, staff at the kiosk will work with customers to choose the best combination of alternative transportation to meet their transportation needs. Staff at the TIC will also show customers how to take advantage of online tools like the ABQRide automatic trip‐planner so they can use alternative transportation with confidence at any time. 

Funded by the Student Fee Review Board, Student Affairs, PATS and additionally supported by the New Mexico Student Union Administration, the TIC came out of collaboration between PATS and undergraduate and graduate student government.

“Last year in an Associated Students of UNM survey, transportation was rated as the number one concern of students at UNM so when we pitched this project the students were very interested,” said Martin. “We are pleased to collaborate with students on alternative transportation initiatives.”

Alternative transportation at UNM has its roots in both the desire of UNM to be more “green” and also the desire of PATS to provide access to the University for students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

“Access is the core of our mission; alternative transportation provides an opportunity to increase access to the University through the cost‐effective and cost‐free programs available. In many ways, alternative transportation provides socially equitable access to the University and that’s important.” Said Martin.

Alternative transportation also has a practical application for PATS.

“The University is growing and it often grows on parking lots. With fewer spaces available, alternative transportation not only reduces traffic and congestion around campus but also reduces the number of parking spaces needed to support the University,” said Martin.

A Message for Parents from Clovis Acosta, UNM Parking & Transportation Services Director

Our primary concern at UNM Parking & Transportation Services is providing access to the University facilities so that students, staff, faculty and visitors may flourish in the learning community. While we offer many services to assist commuters, we also support other resources that offer cost‐effective and convenient alternatives to bringing a car to campus everyday.

From the purchase of a vehicle, to the maintenance, upkeep, fuel and insurance costs, cars cost a lot of money. 

Interested in knowing exactly how much a car costs? Check out the Commute Cost Calculator at the City of Albuquerque website.

Commuting daily is expensive. Below are a few ways students can save gas, save cash and get to and from campus without relying on a car. (more…)