Metro students scramble for transportation

By Josie Klemaier
jklemaie@mscd.edu

Photos by Emily Varisco • varisco@mscd.edu TOP: A line of cars heads into the Transportation and Parking Structure just outside the Tivoli April 2. Due to the RTD strike, TAPS lowered parking prices after many lots on campus filled up. ABOVE: Metro student Andy Gaydos looks at the Ride Share Board in the Student Information Office April 4.The board has been set up for students, who rely on public transportation, to find carpools to campus.

   All parking lots were filled to capacity Tuesday, April 4, as more students drove to school because of the suspension of light rail service and many bus routes due to the RTD workers’ strike.
   The strike comes as Auraria students are approaching a referendum vote on RTD fees Wednesday, April 5 and Thursday, April 6.
Workers announced their strike Sunday morning after 55 percent of their union, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001, voted to reject RTD’s revised contract.
   Attendance was down at Auraria on Monday, April 3. Light rail stations remained empty and many students caught off-guard by the strike found themselves without transportation to school.
   “ Don’t wait till the last minute,” Parking Director Mark Gallagher advised students.
   The 7,000 parking spaces at Auraria were full at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday for about 20 minutes, Gallagher said.
   “ At three, we had 700 spaces available. Eleven to one is a critical time,” he said.
   Gallagher said there might be random ID checks at certain lots if parking in Auraria lots by downtown employees becomes a problem.
   Auraria Parking and Transportation Services lowered the parking price for the Tivoli Auraria parking structure from $5 per day to $3.75 per day for the duration of the strike.
   A letter will be sent to Metro faculty asking them to remain sensitive to the fact that many students use RTD to get to school, Vice President of Academic Affairs Douglas E. Samuels said Monday.
   Though some bus routes driven by contracted drivers were in service on Monday, the light rail and 16th Street Mall Ride were shut down. This has a great effect not only on Auraria students, but also on Denver’s downtown businesses.
   Samuels, who walks to campus from his home every day, said there was a noticeable difference in student attendance on Monday, noting the lack of students who normally get off at the light rail stop every morning.
   “ It was very different,” he said. “Like it was spring break, or a Friday around here.”
   At Good Stuff, the food vendor outside the Auraria Library, employee Stephen Polk said business was especially low on Monday because of the RTD strike.
   “ But, I still support the workers’ right to strike,” he said.
   The lack of students on campus was felt at the flagpole where Zach Banks was handing out information about the upcoming RTD referendum.
   Banks, a member of the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board, which is sponsoring the vote, said it is still very important to vote, despite the strike.
   The RTD referendum vote asks the students of Auraria to assess each Auraria institution an RTD fee, allowing a maximum 10 percent increase in price each year but not to exceed $33 over a four-year period.
   If RTD wanted to renew a contract with an increase in the rate given to Auraria students that would exceed a 10 percent increase, the contract renewal would be put to a referendum vote again.
   SACAB member Tiffany Kane said she is not sure many students will vote for the referendum now that the strike has occurred.
   “ Students need to think in the long run. How long can this thing (the strike) last?” she said. The last time RTD went on strike, in 1982, the strike lasted a month.
   The referendum will renew the contract with RTD beginning in the Spring 2007 semester.
   Samuels said if the contract with RTD is not renewed, “something would have to be looked at.”
   RTD would want to make adjustments and work with the three institutions’ presidents, he said. “I am optimistic that it will work its way out.”
   Gallagher noted, “As students get over the initial shock of the strike and things settle down, students who haven’t parked before get the hang of it, it will be an easier parking situation.”

“It took a really long time to get here. The buses are packed.” Anthony Chavira Metro

“The commute sucks. It’s been really busy; it’s hard to get anywhere you need to go.” Curtis Subia UCD

“I’m really worried about how I’m going to get to work on Thursday.” Cindy Green UCD

“So far, my boyfriend has relied solely on the bus, so I’ve been waking up early to take him to work.” Elizabeth Edgar Metro/CCD