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Show mrm, rf " Tuesday, January 23, 2007 0S:. ? UTATRAX can Save Students Time, Money Westminster students weigh in on public transportation pros and cons Wesley Jarman Staff Writer Its just after 3 p.m. and students arc finishing with the days classes. Only 21.8 miles from Converse Halls doorstep and students could he arriving at off Wc-ammstc- the top of Big Cottonwood Canvon at Brighton Ski Resort, the cosest resort to campus, that boasts the best night skiing in Utah. But theres just me problem: You don't have access to a car. Ilow docs a Westminster student get around town? The answer could a friends car. A better answer could be riding the Utah Transit Authoritys (UTA) railways, also known as TRAX that run limited in the metro area, and UTA busses that cover more areas, including the Photo Cart ton ski resorts. That is what BIT A Regional Marketing Specialist Shaina Miron Quinn would like Westminster students to think. Students, faculty' and staff can purchase an Ed Pass through the schools ca- shier for only $15 per year, she said, which are good on TRAX and local busses, Thats a savings of $585 a year nt commuter pass. compared to the regular nt fares range around $3 per ride. Regular The Ed Pass does not include a $6 (per ride) ski-bpass. Quinn explained the Ed Pass in more detail. The Ed Pass is cost efficient and time effective, she said, Youve got time back in your day", time to study, time to work or time to rest. UTA Manager of Customer Service Cindy Medford said riding the UTA bus is a great idea for students and non-stude- non-stude- us the major restructuring in the next coming months, Jones said. We will be focusing on our two major markets: students and commuters. every-da- y The hard work of restructuring UTA will be well worth the effort if UTA wants to retrieve some cl its foimer ridsopho-- n ers. One of them ,s ore car owner Michelle Sprouse, lrode th. UTA buv in high school, she said. Now it just not necessary1 and besides, the bus tan brt ikciown too much. Sprouses rtoi ornate, sophomore Tis Diaz, doesn t own a car and takes of ad-- v antage of h.rrng two methods of public transportation UTA and TRAX) than the one form of public transportation in her hometown of San Antonio (VIA). Its urn by Hi Jiv UlTlJ better to ha e two options here, site said. Those not familiar with Salt Lake Citv and its surroundings should know most attractions and popular destinations are accessible through UTA. A trip downtown from the major Salt Lake City' area is less that 30 minutes away', and any Utah resort up Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon is about an hour away or less. Even though the UTA trip planner is designed to default to the fastest situation. The Forum has found the Web site claims are often unreasonable and inaccurate. One trip plan ner suggested it would take a t ider three hours to travelft om Westminster College to the UTA Park and Ride lot located at the bottom ofBig Cottonwood Canyon. Perhaps a better, more accurate timeframe could be gathered by calling a UTA fbnitM staff of fall 2006 I ' J ? 'll I1 all commuters, especially with the addition" of UTAs trip planning feature that anticipates a riders destina- -' tion (www. ridcuta. ccni) . Trip planning is easy to access when the rider gives accurate or approximate arrival and departure times, she said. The system is designed to default the fastest trip in most situations. But even a quick, cheap trip can be intimidating to first time bus riders, and UTA spokesperson Justin Jones commiserates with those people. As a source of primary transportation, the buses can be cumbersome' for the first time rider. That said, Jones hopes all students and everyday' commuters will become more familiar with UTAs bus- scs and railways in the coming months. UTA will see r 111 customer service representative at A.f Seale New FWRD Director With a wealth of expertise, director brings fresh energy to center Daniel Iverson Staff Writer Two weeks ahead of his family and most of his belongings Marvin Seale came to Salt Lake City prepared to hit the ground running as Westminsters new director of fitness, wellness and recreation. With a mostly empty office and few things beyond a supply of clothes, Seale immediately began filling the shoes vacated by Alesha Kientzler last semester. Originally from Texas, Seale came to Utah in March 2005 to accept a position as the director of wellness and recreation at the Ivins, Utah, Red Mountain Spa. He supervised five departments and coordinated various fitness programs and health Hie Forum of Vestrnin--Tc- r College is. published every other Tuesday, Our circulation is about 1,200 newspapers. T.he first copy is free of charge; additional copies may be staff pui chafed tor 50 vents. We encourage students, faculty, all letters to and other readers to provide feedback. Kate Pappas at jorumohise stm i n ter college edit. Only signed letters will be accepted. The Forum reserves the right to edit all submissions. Views expressed are those of the writers and are not to be considered those of The Forum, ASWC, the faculty', staff or administration. ail s services. Seale knew about Westminster before finding the position available and felt it would be a good fit. His educational and professional background placed him at several large universities, so he was particularly excited to work at a small, private institution. "It was a gut feeling, he said. So far, theres been no indication it was incorrect. After finishing a psychology degree from Sam Houston State University, Seale began rock climbing Photo by Darnel Martin Seale is the nets.' director cfptnccs, witness h i rsen and recreation. with a friend every weekend. When he discovered the universitys recreational sports department, he became a graduate assistant and completed a masters degree in kinesiology, which he described as a fancy word for physical education or human performance. ... see page 7, Seale Page 2 vfi Volume XL: Issue 10 |