Ongoing negotiations between Oberlin and Lorain County Transit (LCT) this spring have resulted in significant changes to the O-Pass agreement the College and LCT share. These changes include a decrease in the number of runs on the Route 33 shuttle to Cleveland International Airport, alterations to Route 33’s schedule, shuttles to the airport with greater frequency at breaks and fee changes.

Because changes are scheduled to take effect June 1, 2005, most students will not be affected by these alterations until next fall.

The changes are ultimately the result of a series of negotiations that have occurred this spring between the LCT’s new general manager, Tom Ferguson, and the College. In response to proposed cutbacks to Route 33, senior Blaise Freeman approached the LCT to renegotiate the O-Pass terms as a member of the student body. First-year Ezra Pincus-Roth and town resident David Ashenhurst have also been instrumental throughout the period of transition.

Originally, the LCT planned to cut the number of Route 33 shuttles from nine each weekday to as few as three. But as a result of the LCT and the College’s negotiations, the frequency will only decrease to seven rides per weekday and six rides per weekend day.

Though the frequency of regular rides will decrease, the LCT has agreed to ensure greater reliability for these rides. In addition, it will provide more frequent and efficient shuttles at break periods, such as Fall Break and Spring Break, where heavy ridership has infamously clogged the system and caused delays.

In order to maintain the economic feasibility of the express shuttle to the airport and more reliable service, students will now be required to pay a $2 fee for the express ride to the airport. All other rides will cost $1.25.

“I know that people are going to be upset with paying fares,” said Pincus-Roth. “If we kept giving out free rides, routes would be slashed left and right in the name of economic sustainability.”

According to Freeman, changes in the agreement will cut LCT’s costs on Route 33 by one quarter.

As a result of the O-Pass’s contract, an agreement Ohio PIRG created with the LCT several years ago, students already pay an $8 per semester fee to fund LCT service to the airport. Freeman says this amount never equaled a large enough sum to pay for the significantly increased busing around breaks.

“Although riding free was originally part of the contract,” said Freeman. “ It is not the most important element. Packed buses around break times has been the greatest difficulty for students riding the LCT. Having students pay per ride is a good model because people who actually use the service contribute.”

In reaction to the complicated negotiations that took place this spring, Pincus-Roth plans to organize an Oberlin College Transportation Committee next fall that will deal with future O-Pass negotiations more efficiently.

According to Freeman, who became involved with the LCT negotiations over Winter Term this year, since the O-Pass was created in 2003 there has been a lack of student follow-up.

“No follow-up studies were conducted by OPIRG, the founders of the O-Pass, and annual contract negotiations were handled by the vice president of finance Ron Watts,” Freeman wrote in a letter to the Review. “Establishing a Transportation Committee will increase communication between students, LCT, and College administrators.”

According to Freeman, who has helped organize it, the Transportation Committee will be responsible for negotiating the annual O-Pass contract, researching student transportation demands, organizing increased bus service around breaks and analyzing student parking issues.

Pincus-Roth, who says public transportation is his life, plans as a part of the transportation committee to initiate an LCT promotion program.

“I feel like the College and LCT could do better jobs when it comes to promoting such a valuble service,” he said.

In addition, Pincus-Roth plans to continue negotiating with the LCT and searching for economically sustainable options that will cater to students’ needs.

“I hope to implement a survey to the student body to get a better idea of current transit riders’ habits and interests,” said Pincus-Roth. “That way, we can make an even more fitting schedule for the years to come.”