May 2019: VOTE on Transportation Fee Measure 73

Students: Vote on Transportation Fee Measure 73

The TAPS Transit operation (which includes campus shuttles, Disability Van Service, and the contract with Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District [METRO]) is unable to operate within the revenue currently generated by the mandatory Student Transit Fee. Despite rising costs, the transit fee has not increased in 11 years and is not sufficient to maintain current campus and countywide transit services. 

Students will be able to vote May 13-22 on Measure 73, a proposed increase to the Student Transit Fee that will be used to stabilize current transit service levels over the next 11 years.

According to Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS):

If Measure 73 passes it will allow TAPS to:

• Continue current fare-free METRO rides for UCSC students within Santa Cruz County
• Continue Campus Transit service operations, including day and night shuttles based on ridership/demand
• Support expanded use of technology such as automatic vehicle location systems and service delivery methods that enhance efficiency and adjust to ridership trends and utilization
• Support transit services to serve UC Santa Cruz sites beyond the main campus in Santa Cruz County, such as the ever-growing populations at the Coastal Science Campus and 2300 Delaware
• Build reserve capacity to help support the replacement of the aging bus fleet, including transition to electric vehicles and development of infrastructure to support those vehicles

If Measure 73 fails it will:

• Keep the Student Transit Fee at $111.66 per student, per quarter
• Reduce or eliminate service levels for both METRO and campus transit
• Cause more crowding on any remaining transit services, resulting in additional pass-by’s, longer wait times and decreased ability to get to and around campus from certain locations
• Impact parking due to more commuters driving to campus. Additional parking will not be added to mitigate this impact

NOTE - The Disability Van Service will not be affected by any proposed service cuts.

To find out more about Measure 73, visit taps.ucsc.edu

Providing over 2 million rides per year, our buses are a crucial part of the campus ecosystem:  everyone benefits from faster transit, fewer cars, and more available parking options. 

UCSC is a nationally-ranked sustainable campus and transit is integral to maintaining our commitment to providing a means of travel to and around campus that does not involve single-occupancy cars.

There must be a 25% voter turnout for this vote to be valid, so be a part of your future and vote in the Campus Elections on May 13-22. Visit elections.ucsc.edu or go to a voting station on campus to exercise your right to vote. Make your voice heard on Measure 73!

TAPS will be tabling at both the Quarry and McHenry Library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays  (May 7, 8, 14, and 15). Students who wish to volunteer to get the word out on Measure 73 will receive a free T-shirt and stickers! TAPS will provide a bit of training, talking points and materials to have interested students. 

Please reach out to Teresa Buika, tabuika@ucsc.edu or Cathy Crowe cacrowe@ucsc.edu  from TAPS. Students can sign up here.