Contact: Carol Berry, WWU Sustainable Transportation program manager carol.berry@wwu.edu.
BELLINGHAM - Western Washington University's Sustainable Transportation Office and University Residences have combined efforts to start a student transportation info desk program in the Buchanan Tower residence hall.
The desk is staffed by a student employee who is trained and supervised by the Sustainable Transportation Office, with funding from University Residences. The purpose of the short-term program is to assess current and future resident student transportation needs, with an eye toward enabling mobility and access while minimizing transportation-related costs and environmental impacts for students and the university.
"Transportation options are available for students at Western, but the process of planning a trip, figuring out the timing, making connections, etc. can be intimidating, if you haven't done it before," said Carol Berry, WWU Sustainable Transportation program manager. "For new students, being able to ask a fellow student, who has ‘been there' can provide the confidence to get on the bus, walk, or bike to a local destination, or take a bus or train out of town - the BT travel desk is a test of how best to provide transportation information to students when they need it."
The program began last November and will continue through the end of Spring quarter, 2009.
The student transportation assistant will be on duty at the desk, located in the BT lounge, 10 hours per week, primarily during evening hours. Questions can be e-mailed to bt.travel@wwu.edu at any time.
The student transportation assistant's responsibilities include:
- Provide assistance to student residents regarding transportation options, including bus, bicycling and walking.
- Provide local and regional bus system information, including personal trip planning, using WTA, Amtrak, Airporter and Greyhound routes and schedules.
- Coordinate with the Office of Sustainable Transportation to develop and maintain WTA and regional transportation materials for BT Residents.
WWU senior Zoey Brodsky has been hired to staff the desk. Brodsky is an experienced and enthusiastic user of local and regional public transportation. In addition to developing trip plans and surveying BT residents, she has developed a new transportation blog, "Zoey on the go," at http://zoeyonthego.wordpress.com/. Blog postings so far include how to travel from Bellingham to Seattle for $5, and advice for students traveling on Amtrak.
Students, employees and the public can also contact the following resources for information and assistance regarding transportation options, WWU Late Night Shuttle, local and regional trip itineraries and service providers:
- Associated Students Transportation Coordinator, AS.transportation@wwu.edu
- AS transportation website, www.transportation.as.wwu.edu/
- WWU Sustainable Transportation Office, transportation@wwu.edu. (360)650-7960
- WWU Transportation website, www.wwu.edu/transportation
For more information on the Travel Desk pilot program, contact Carol Berry, WWU Sustainable Transportation program manager, at carol.berry@wwu.edu.
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