By
Ayse Guner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
More UA football fans rode bus during last week's game than last
Last Saturday's UA football game against Ohio State University boosted Sun Tran ridership, resulting in more riders in one night than in any other game last year, Sun Tran officials said.
After a $2.25 million budget shortfall, decreases in pick-up locations and an increase in ticket costs, the Sun Tran football shuttle service carried 3,468 fans to the University of Arizona's home football-opener Sept. 9.
"We carried more people during this year's game than we had in any other game in last year," said Marsha Baker, director of customer and community recources for Sun Tran.
Sun Tran, Tucson's public transportation bus system, is $40,000 in debt and the UA agreed to pay $20,000 to help keep the service going.
To cut costs, Sun Tran increased the ticket fare to $4 - from $3 last year - and the pick-up locations were decreased from five to three.
Baker said the decrease in pick-up locations had no effect on the number of riders. The eliminated pick-up locations had signs posted to direct the riders to the current locations.
"We had some people coming from the previous locations as a result of the signs," she said.
The UA's agreement will go through the duration of the season.
Sharon Kha, UA spokeswoman, said the agreement with the Sun Tran has been successful.
"We (plan) to continue this season, and we will evaluate at the end of the season," she said.
Kha also said many riders called in after the game and expressed their appreciation for the shuttle services.
Even though there are fewer pick-up locations, it hasn't hurt the number of people using the service, said Phoebe Chalk, athletics assistant director for public affairs.
"It's been successful, the fans know the locations and (the shuttle is) working very well," she said.
