The University of Arizona is a large population center in the middle of Tucson hosting 55,000 students, staff and faculty traveling to campus each day. The big question is how does the UA get all those people to their destination in a timely, affordable, safe and efficient manner while reducing pollution and
congestion?

Sun Rideshare asked Charles Franz, the UA TRP Transportation Coordinator, TRP Task Force member and Program Coordinator for Alternative Transportation Programs with Parking and Transportation Services (PTS). Charles said that PTS provides a variety of transportation options so that people do not have to drive a car to campus. For instance, there is Cat Tran which is a free circulator that travels around campus and to popular destinations off campus.

The UA subsidizes (up to) half the cost of a Sun Tran bus pass, which makes transit very affordable and popular among employees and students. The UA offers premium parking and shared parking fees for carpoolers and vanpoolers as an incentive to promote ridesharing. Bike lanes and restricted traffic make  bicycling a safe and fast mode of transportation on campus.

Charles proudly tells us about the new, cutting-edge programs the UA implemented this school year: car sharing, bike sharing and the bike station. Hybrid
cars are available for rent by the hour for nearly everyone. Students or local residents can rent a car to go shopping, visit a friend or take a short road trip.

Bikes can be borrowed by employees and students at no charge through the bike share program and, if they have their own bike, they can get free minor repairs /services at the bike station on the mall. “The key to the success of all these programs is marketing, getting the word out,” Charles said.

With 12 years of experience in TDM, Charles recommends an employer start small if they need to with programs such as bike racks, subsidizing bus passes, offering Sun Rideshare carpool matching services, and promoting carpooling and vanpooling. “This shows your employees that you want to help them in these difficult economic times.”