Commuters parking south of campus could face increased expense as early as the spring of 1997 because the free Cy-Ride commuter route from the lots is taking passengers from other bus routes.

Lots A4 and B6, located south of Iowa State Center, are the focus of a Transportation Advisory Council proposal. A subcommittee on long-range planning discussed a boarding fee for the commuter parkers at a recent meeting.

Connie Colle, a DPS official, said a 25 cent per boarding fee or a semester pass are being discussed for the orange Cy-Ride route. The route, often used by commuter parkers, is now free.

At this time, the university subsidizes Cy-Ride for the commuter area. “We’re working to improve and expand the shuttle service,” Colle said.

However, Cy-Ride Manager Bob Bourne said the university did not request the change in fees.

“We suggested it because we’re losing a lot of riders from the red, green and blue routes,” Bourne said. “We’ve lost about 25 percent of our ridership from those routes.”

Bourne said people are not riding the red, green and blue routes because the orange route is free and comes close to covering a similar area.

He said he could see students using the lots A4 and B6 less because of the fee.

“Any time a fee is increased, there will be a change in the usage,” Bourne said.

Lot 29, north of the Molecular Biology Building, is the other major commuter lot on campus. This lot currently requires a parking permit. Colle said that lot 29 permit holders also must meet the necessary criteria.

The criteria includes the stipulation that Ames residents may not obtain a permit for lot 29. For many, this leaves lots A4 and B6 as the only commuter lots.

Colle said lots A4 and B6 minimize traffic on campus. Colle did not comment on how the proposal might affect campus traffic and congestion.

The proposal is tabled for discussion until next fall. If passed, it could take effect in the spring.