U. emplouees come to work despite SEPTA strike

Nails were placed under the tires of a University employee shuttle bus at the 69th Street Terminal yesterday, according to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. But aside from the nails, -- which were removed without damaging the bus -- the University's efforts to provide transportation to its employees in light of a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority strike have gone rather smoothly. The SEPTA strike, which began Tuesday after last-ditch negotiations between SEPTA and Transport Workers Union Local 234 fell apart, has shut down all city bus, trolley and subway service, forcing 300,000 riders to find alternate methods of transportation. In response, the University began running shuttle buses to 30th Street Station, the 69th Street terminal, and the 16th and Locust streets transportation hub, none of which are affected by the strike. University spokesperson Barbara Beck, whose normal drive to campus takes about 20 minutes, said it took her 40 minutes to get to work yesterday. Beck added that many of the drivers appeared to be in "bad moods" because of the traffic congestion. As far as University employees are concerned, Beck said most are finding alternate ways to get to work. "For the most part, Penn employees are doing everything they possibly can to get to work and to get to work on time," Beck said. Beck added that the shuttle system is working efficiently, except that the buses are extremely crowded. Economics Professor Arleigh Hess agreed with Beck, also saying that his daily trip from New Jersey to the University took him twice as long as it normally does. He added that the strike has been an inconvenience, causing him to cancel his Friday morning office hours for fear of not being able to be get to the University on time. Hess said he rides a New Jersey Transit train from southern New Jersey to 30th Street Station, and then walks to campus. "It was a long walk from 30th Street Station," Hess said. "I'm annoyed that it happened. I hope it ends in a hurry." Some local business have also been affected by the strike. Employees at The Shops at Penn food court said several co-workers did not show up, or were late for their shifts because of the strike. Yesterday afternoon, a queue formed in front of Houston Hall at about 4:30 p.m. as people waited for the shuttle buses to arrive. But shortly after, a school bus pulled up to take the stranded employees and students to 16th and Locust streets. "It's really nice that they do this," said Vicki Noble, an employee of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "It would be nice if it came more often." Irene Katsumoto, a first-year Graduate School of Education student and HUP employee, said she travels in from New Jersey, and the strike did not effect her. "It was great," Katsumoto said. "Actually, I'm saving money because I don't have to pay for SEPTA tokens."