University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

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Published: September 14, 2009

Hoping to clear up the parking and traffic congestion on UB’s campuses while clearing the air from the more than 40,000 vehicles that visit each day, Parking and Transportation Services has implemented UB CarFree, a carpool program for faculty, staff and students.

“More than 90 percent of our campus community members drive to campus in single-occupancy vehicles,” says Barbara Ricotta, associate vice president for campus life. “With UB CarFree, we expect to reduce the number of cars on campus and, by extension, reduce traffic congestion and energy consumption, while improving parking availability and air quality.”

The program is tailored specifically for university needs, an added initiative to UB’s participation in the Good Going WNY ridesharing program, operated under the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council, that attracted 175 UB community members during the past academic year.

UB CarFree participation requires that faculty, staff and students reside off campus and register for the program. To qualify, the carpool must include at least two people who commute round trip together at least three days a week. Carpool group members receive a parking permit valid in a lot close to where they frequently park, study or work. When possible, carpool spaces are reserved adjacent to buildings.

“I believe many faculty and staff members will take advantage of the program and hopefully reach out to their colleagues that either live near them or share a similar schedule with them,” says Maria Wallace, director of parking and transportation services. “As many of us can appreciate, there are certain times during the day when parking can be a bit challenging, and if there are carpool spaces conveniently available in the loops or on Putnam Way or in the first row of many parking lots, I think it may be rather enticing.”

Wallace noted the comprehensive transit system in place to get people around the campuses, including the UB Stampede between the North and South campuses (which serves more than 3.5 million riders annually) and color-coded shuttles to move people from peripheral parking lots into the core of the campuses.

Although UB CarFree participants must surrender their individual parking permits in exchange for a carpool permit, each will receive 15 one-day permits per semester—valid in shared (faculty/staff/student), commuter, or Park & Ride lots—for use when carpooling is not viable. In addition, each carpooler may use the complimentary UB Emergency Ride Home for a free ride home in the event of a personal emergency.

Sixteen people signed up the first week of the program, accounting for eight carpoolers, which was encouraging to Wallace. “As word grows and as people notice the convenient carpool locations on campus, I think that will then drive demand,” she says.

What might be a measure of success? “I don’t have a magical number,” says Wallace. “I would be pleased if we had 100 this semester, as long as the program continues to grow and then in the spring more awareness builds.”

For more information or to register for the UB CarFree carpool program, click here.