U. preps for transit strike

The possible Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority strike may threaten the ability of hundreds of University faculty, staff and students to get to campus this week. But in the event of the strike, the University has developed a contingency plan to deal with the possible transportation woes. If the Transport Workers Union Local 234 and SEPTA cannot come to agreement by 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, the SEPTA workers will strike causing all city bus and subway service to be shut down. And the SEPTA workers have been working without a contract since November 30, 1994. In the event of the SEPTA shut-down, the only form of public transportation that would still be in operation would be the commuter rails which serve primarily the suburbs. One aspect of the University's alternative plan would entail operating free shuttle buses between the campus and strategic points in the Philadelphia area. In addition, transportation service will be coordinated with shuttles from Drexel University. University faculty, staff and students will be able to ride the Drexel buses by showing their PennCards. Currently, proposed routes include running University shuttle buses and vans between Houston Hall and 30th Street Station, 16th and Locust streets and the 69th Street Terminal. According to a prepared statement by the University, buses will leave every half from the proposed locations, starting at about 7 a.m. and ending at about 9 a.m. Transportation leaving the University in the afternoon will also depart from Houston Hall, leaving at about 4:30 p.m. and running until about 9:45 p.m. And buses to 30th Street Station will end at 6 p.m. University spokesperson Barbara Beck said the contingency plan is similar to a plan used for the last SEPTA strike. "Everybody should try to carpool," Beck recommended. The University has also created a voice mail "Rideshare" service to aid individuals carpooling. Dining Service Director William Canney said that although a strike would would strain dining service employees, it would not stop the food service. "We will be open for service," Canney said. "[But] it will be an inconvenience for everyone." Councilwoman Happy Fernandez, chairperson of the city's transportation and public utilities committee, said a SEPTA strike would be devastating to the city.