KANSAN.COM/ THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011 / NEWS / 3
CAMPUS
KU on Wheels works to improve
Officials say proposed changes would increase ease of use for students, staff
BY LAURA THOMAS editor@kansan.com
Every year, KU on Wheels and the City of Lawrence team up to improve the University's bus routes both on and around campus. This year is no different. KU on Wheels held a question and answer meeting Wednesday afternoon, in hopes of gathering public input on recommendations that would alter several fixed routes within the existing transit system.
The meeting yesterday highlighted the fact that they are not taking anything away from the system, but instead are making changes that aim to improve certain aspects of KU on Wheels.
"Our goal is to make it simpler, easier, less complex for KU students, faculty and staff to use," Derek Meier, the University's Transportation Coordinator said.
The changes they are making to Route 11, the route to Wakarusa, will affect students the most. Other moderate changes are being done to Routes 1, 3, 4, 5, and 10 as well.
"The changes this year are really evolutionary," Meier said. "They show a maturing in the system to provide better access as local things have developed."
Although there will be no new additions this coming year, no services will be cut either.
Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator for the City of Lawrence, expresses the in-depth process that goes into making the changes every year.
"Everything we are doing," Nugent said, "has been coordinated over the last several years." The process begins with a joint planning group, made up of half University's employees and half city employees. The group goes through all recommendations, suggestions, comments and complaints to come up with a series of changes to the system.
After receiving approval from the city, the transit department, and the Union, the changes are brought to a series of public hearings, before finally reaching the voting process. All of this is done with the intent to better the existing transit system.
"We are continually trying to improve things," Nugent said. "We have tried to use our resources as wisely as we can to get the biggest bang for our buck."
PROPOSED CHANGES BY ROUTE
Route 1:
Route 1:
■No direct service to Haskell Indian Nations University
■Add service to Prairie Park neighborhood
■End service on 23rd Street west of Haskell
■Increase frequency from 40 to 30 minutes
■Improve connections to Route 5
Route 3:
■Increase flex service zone east of McDonald Dr. and north of 5th Street
Route 4:
Reduce frequency from 40 to 60 minutes
Extend route to Hillcrest Shopping Center at Ninth and Iowa streets
Inbound and outbound service available on Ninth Street
Edited by Danielle Packer
Route 5:
■Provide service to employers in the business park
Route 10:
Route 10:
■ Inbound and outbound service on Jayhawk Boulevard available
■ Service no longer available on Iowa or Ninth Street west of Indiana
Note: dependant upon changes to Route 4
Route 11:
Service available inbound and outbound on the 31st and Iowa loop Service no longer available on Naismith north of 19th Street and south of Irving Hill. Buses would operate across 19th and Irving Hill
Source: lawrencetransit.org pdf/proposed-changes-2011.pdf
Service no longer available on New Jersey
INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATED PRESENTS The French government has placed a ban on Islamic women from wearing burqas. Many Muslim students are outraged and feel this new controversial law attacks their culture and religion.
French ban on burqas causes uproar
Muslim students disagree with the new law saying it restricts their practice of religion
BY ANN WILSON awilson@kansan.com
A new controversial law in France has a local religious group outraged.
France officials passed a law on Monday banning Islamic women from wearing veils that cover their faces. The ban pertains specifically to burqas, a full body covering with mesh over the face, and niqabs, a veil that exposes only the eyes.
The legislation was passed in October, but included a sixmonth warning period before
Fines totaling 150 Euros more than $200 — will be given to women who break the new law. Women only receive fines for breaking the law, but men who force women to wear veils have much harsher consequences. Men violating the law will receive a 15,000 euro fine and face a possible year-long imprisonment.
Alanqar thinks that the ban transcends fines. He says it's not about the money; it's a belief, and others agree.
going into effect on Monday, according to CNN.com. France is the first country to ban face veils, but the new ban has the University of Kansas Muslim Student Association (MSA) unset.
"What the French government is basically doing is restricting
"What the French government is basically doing is restricting the practicing of religion."
KASHIF NASEEM senior from Karachi, Pakistan
"I'm really pissed," said Ibrahim Alanqar, MSA president and senior from Gaza City, Palestine. "It's not because it's the burqa. It's more about attacking or targeting a certain group, and this time it's us - Muslims."
then you go on to the head scarf, who knows where it's going to stop," Naseem said.
ing of religion, which is against the fundamentals of secularism itself," saidKashif Naseem, senior from Karachi, Pakistan.
only a small percentage of Islamic women wear a traditional burqa or niqab, some Muslims fear the new ban will act as a stepping-stone toward harsher laws.
While
While Alanqar and Naseem have faith in the United States constitution to never impose such a controversial law, they fear the French government will receive negative reactions.
Two women have already been fined according to CNN.com, and Alanqar and Naseem fear Muslim activists will disobey the new law to make a point.
"You start with the burgas,
The ban also creates more tension between the West and the Muslim world.
"Even if it happened against Jews or Christians, or any other group I'll be upset," Alanqar said.
"You just can't target a minority group as long as they're not harming anybody. Just leave them alone," he said.
Edited by Emily Soetaert
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