Beginning this semester, the Lion Traxx Shuttle Service that offers rides free of charge to students and employees will no longer be operating on Fridays due to low student use, usually averaging only 113 passengers.

To compensate for these changes, University Parking has altered its parking policy for the coming semester. Students who remain on campus are now able to park in any parking area, except faculty and handicap, on Fridays.

“Basically, any people that live in dorms or any people who are freshman commuters can park in any student location on a Friday as long as it’s a student and not a faculty,” said Sgt. Kevin Knudsen, supervisor of parking.

The idea to make changes to parking policies and the Lion Traxx schedule originated under the direction of Branden Summers, senator of the Student Government Association (SGA). He developed the changes based on other students’ input and his own frustration with the current parking situation.

“On Fridays, I work and the biggest pain is having to ride Lion Traxx all the way over here when there are so many parking spots open,” said Summers.

Summers worked with the University Police Department, Gary Prescott, director of Lion Traxx and Shuttle Services, Jim McHodgkins, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Dr. Marvin Yates, vice president for Student Affairs to find a solution that would address student complaints and benefit everyone.

To accommodate students with later classes, the on-campus transit system will also be running later in the evening, Monday through Thursday. The operating hours for the Lion Traxx have been extended during the week by an hour and a half and will now be running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“I started talking to other students, notably females, and they were saying that they don’t like the fact that it’s too dark when they get out [of class] and they don’t have a safe ride back to their dorms or cars,” said Summers.

In addition to the changes, the parking department would like to remind students they will still be issuing tickets on Fridays if students park in faculty or handicap parking zones.

“The main thing is do not park in a faculty location,” said Knudsen. “The rules are still enforced on Friday.”

If students have any further questions concerning parking they can contact the parking office at 985-549-5695. Any questions regarding Lion Traxx can be directed to 985-549-2877.