Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: News

According to an Associated Students survey completed in November 2006, the amount of San Jose State University students using alternative transportation has increased by more than 10 percent over the last five years.

"Ten percent effectiveness is very good," said A.S. Transportation Solutions Manager Eyedin Zonobi. "We're in the business of changing people's behavior."

According to an informational handout put together by Zonobi, there has been a 200 percent increase in the amount of alternative transportation usage by SJSU students since the department's creation in August 2000.

"Fewer cars come to campus. There is less of an impact on parking facilities (and) an increase in safety and improvement of air quality," Zonobi said.

For the purposes of the survey, the term alternative transportation encompasses: VTA bus and light rail, regional transit - such as Caltrain - carpooling and bicycling.

According to the survey results, 86 percent of those who responded come to campus directly from home, and 84 percent return directly home afterward.

Also, 68 percent of the respondents said they were employed, with 21 percent employed full time and 47 percent employed part time.

"This is very important," Zonobi said. "It's a very busy population. This population separates their school and work schedule."

Dave Kuo, a junior majoring in Chinese, takes VTA line 72 every day to get to campus.

The distribution of the Eco Pass - which, according to Zonobi, has allowed SJSU students to use VTA bus and light rail services for a discounted fee since 1994 - has allowed Kuo to save time and money on transportation.

"I don't have a car," Kuo said. "I could bike (here), but I would either take the bus or bike. I used to bike to San Jose City College every day."

He also takes a VTA bus to get to and from his workplace, Barnes & Noble, at Eastridge Mall. He said he works mostly over the weekend.

Kuo has noticed that although students take advantage of most modes of alternative transportation, some still drive alone to campus.

"I see a lot of students on my line for sure," Kuo said. "I've noticed them on park and ride. I do see bikes around school, but I always see students driving alone to the parking garages."

The goal of the Transportation Solutions department is to reduce the drive-alone rate to campus, Zonobi said.

Continued...

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