Students approved a transit fee increase that will fund improvements to campus bus services and amenities.
In April, they voted in favor of a referendum that raised the transit fee from $25 to $50 for the fall and spring semesters, and from $12.50 to $25 for summer semesters. Students voted online; the final tally was 939 to 854.
The Student Government Association had developed the referendum in response to student requests for upgrades.
The extra revenue will be used by the Office of Transportation Services and could fund several initiatives, including adding leased buses to the fleet of buses and shuttles owned by the University. Eventually, leased buses could replace those owned by the University. Other planned uses include bus stop upgrades, additional bus service and parking facilities maintenance.
The Office of Transportation Services, which receives no funding from the University or State of Louisiana, has three sources of revenue: parking permits, tickets, and the self-assessed student fee.
The Office of Transportation Services was formerly known as the Office of Parking and Transit. It changed its name last year.
In late July, construction crews were nearing completion of a 1,100-space parking tower on East Lewis Street between Fletcher and Olivier halls. It will provide about 700 spaces requiring permits, and another 400 for hourly parking.
The project, which is expected is to be finished by November, is part of the University’s Master Plan. The plan, which will guide campus growth and development for the next several years, includes provisions for campus structures, roads, spaces, signage and perimeter developments.
The parking tower is being financed through the private, non-profit Ragin’ Cajun Facilities Inc. It is being funded through several sources, including the sale of bonds, self-assessed student fees and auxiliary revenue.