Ohio
PIRG Questions Article on LCT Initiative
To
the Editors:
This
letter is in response to the article, Senate Referendum Seeks
Student Input published in last weeks issue of The Oberlin
Review. I would like to clarify the statement regarding one of the
other controversial items on the ballot, which is the
proposal for a mandatory $7 fee that would give students unlimited
access to the Lorain County Transit (LCT) system. This statement
is an inaccurate summary of the proposal being presented in the
Student Referendum.
The proposal aims to establish a U-Pass system whereby all students
would have unlimited access to not only the current LCT system,
but also to increased services which would be funded by a $7 mandatory
fee on every students term bill. These increased services
would include 12 hourly shifts from Oberlin to the Cleveland Hopkins
Airport on weekends, before and after breaks, and at the beginning
and end of the semester. The $7 fee would all go directly towards
increasing these services. Also, from the airport, students can
transfer to the light-rail, which connects to downtown Cleveland.
This proposal was a product of an Ohio PIRG Smart Development Campaign
survey in the spring semester of 2001, which assessed students
transportation trends and concerns on campus. Over 500 students
participated in the survey, and many acknowledged that the current
LCT system was inadequate for their needs. The increased services
described above were suggested by participants in the survey.
The U-Pass system would be of great benefit to all students on campus,
especially to the majority of those who do not own or have access
to cars. Considering the current alternatives, including the Hopkins
Airport Shuttle ($40), student transportation services ($10-15),
and an inadequate LCT schedule, the U-Pass system presents a simple,
yet effective solution to the concerns of public transportation
for Oberlin students. Furthermore, it would be a great service to
the community, for all increased services would be available to
all community members. Increasing public transportation is also
a great means to address issues of public health, air pollution,
and global warming.
This proposal enjoys broad-based support from various organizations
and offices on campus, including: Center for Service and Learning,
2020 Project, Bike Co-op, Hillel, Oberlin Design Initiative, Oberlin
Student Cooperative Association (OSCA), Oberlin Sustainable Agriculture
Project (OSAP), Office of Community Affairs, Sierra Student Coalition
(SSC), Smart Development Coalition and Student Senate.
I hope this letter has served to clarify any misperceptions of the
LCT proposal. So vote in the Student Referendum available in your
mailboxes, dining halls, and co-ops, and vote yes for the LCT referendum.
Yuri
Futamura
College senior
Ohio PIRG vice-chair
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