A Lobby 7 event today will provide members of the MIT communtiy with information about methods of commuting to campus, even as offices around the Institute continue efforts to make bicycling and taking the MBTA more attractive.
COMMUTER FAIR
A commuter fair hosted by the Charles River Transportation Management Group (CRTMG) and MIT will take place today (October 9) in Lobby 7.
A variety of organizations including MassPort, the MBTA, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and Mass Highways will be on hand to provide information on activities which affect daily commuting to the Institute. Caravan for Commuters will have information on RideSource, ride-matching and vanpools. Boston Edison, Boston Gas, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Resources and Commonwealth Energy Systems will also have exhibits on alternative fuel vehicles. Other exhibitors will include the Conservation Law Foundation, which will have information on environmental and air quality, and a representative from the Central Artery program will provide an update on the country's largest public works project.
Bicycle programs will be the focus of exhibits by the Bicycle Coalition of Massachusetts, Montague Bicycles and the City of Cambridge Community Development Office. Jim Gascoigne of CRTMG will have applications and information on RideSource, the Guaranteed Ride Home program and the CT2 incentive programs.
A representative from the MIT Parking and Transportation Office will be available to answer questions concerning the various MIT parking options, the SafeRide program and the MBTA subsidy program. Members of the MIT Campus Police will also address questions on security.
MORE BIKE RACKS INSTALLED
The Planning Office is continuing its program to encourage cycling for commuting, fitness and convenience with the installation of 35 new racks around campus.
The additions resulted from a bicycle study conducted by the Planning Office in 1992, which evaluated federal, state and local regulations and conditions for cyclists to determine how MIT can promote and encourage cycling on the campus and as a means of commuting.
The new racks-the popular CORA racks-are designed to allow locking both frame and wheel(s) for added security, with a vertical segment to support the bicycle frame.
Planning Officer Michael Owu said the new racks will accommodate about 350 bikes and are being installed in areas where demand for bicycle storage is particularly high. One location-the parking lot and courtyard between Buildings 3 and 5-was selected to attract cyclists who now lock their bikes to the rack at 33 Massachusetts Ave., which has one of the highest bike theft rates on campus. A caged bike storage area is also being created in the Hermann Garage, supplementing the one behind Building 13.
This summer, new bike racks were also installed as part of the Tang Center construction project, replacing racks and increasing storage capacity.
SUBSIDIZED T PASSES
The Parking and Transportation Office is now accepting applications for December MBTA passes. Based on the popularity of the program when it was introduced last month, when the program included almost 1,900 students and employees, the office estimates between 2,300 and 2,400 people will seek passes this month.
Because of advance ordering requirements, applications for new participants that are received on or before the last business day of a month will begin receiving a T pass two months hence. For example, to receive a December T pass, applications are due by October 31. Students and employees who live off campus and commute to work or school may pick up applications in the parking office in Rm 16-539.
There are three locations where participants may collect their passes: The Source in the Stratton Student Center, Lobby 10, and the Parking and Transportation Office. Passes are available the last three business days of each month at each location. The hours for pick-up in Lobby 10 are from 10am-3:30pm, or 9am-5pm for The Source and the parking office. If you are unable to pick up your pass during the last three business days, the parking office will have your pass available for pickup for the rest of the month from 9am-5pm. For more information, call John McDonald in the parking office at x3-9897.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on October 9, 1996.
