Staff Report
Participating in the statewide Bike and Walk to School Day is one of UNM's first steps in promoting the use of alternative transportation since joining Albuquerque's Alternative Commute Transportation program.
The program was started by as a way of promoting the environmental benefits of alternative transportation more than three years ago. The program encourages University students, faculty and staff to explore alternative transportation to and from campus.
This includes walking, riding bicycles, car pooling and riding the bus.
"I believe the city's ACT Now program is beneficial to the faculty, staff and students at UNM," said Kamesh Tangirala, project assistant in UNM's Transportation Information Office, in a University news release. "Alternate modes of transportation would mean reduced traffic congestion, delays and pollution, a reduction of stress and a significant reduction in the costs incurred such as parking and gas. Also, alternative modes like cycling and walking improve health."
As incentive to using alternative means of transportation, UNM staff and faculty who purchase a monthly city bus pass will receive an $8 discount off the regular $28 price.
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All UNM students pay $12 for a monthly pass. Passes can be purchased at the UNM Bookstore.
While use of mass transit blossomed during the Big I project, use dropped sharply once the exchange was completed, said Valerie Santillanes, an assistant for the city's ACT Now program.
"A lot of people just don't know what's available to them," Santillanes said in a University news release. "UNM students, faculty and staff can catch a bus at the University every 10 minutes on Central from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday."
Santillanes said ACT Now is not just about riding the bus, as many people think. ACT Now encourages residents to walk and ride bicycles when they can, she said.
"People are willing and capable of making changes if you give them a good reason," Santillanes said. "We want to convince people that clean air is reason enough to use alternative transportation."
