Whereas, the Anteater Express is a crucial services to the UC Irvine student community and university community at large,

Whereas, the Anteater Express is a means of transportation for many students to commute to and from campus who otherwise would not have a reliable transportation system,

Whereas, the Anteater Express received a vote of confidence by the UCI student body at large due to the passage of the Bus Love referendum that provided major much needed funding for the operation of the Anteater Express,

Whereas, the UC Irvine student body has a vested interest in the long term success on the Anteater Express and its well being past the passage of the Bus Love Referendum,

Whereas, the Anteater Expresses leadership has look for creative and effective ways to potentially create strong funding avenues that will not rely solely on student fees, 

Whereas, it is in the best interest of the Anteater Express to diversify its funding options as a guarantee on student funding can not holistically be maintained, 

Whereas, the Anteater Express could potentially be the pilot program for Illuminated Advertising program ran by the State of California at virtually no cost to the Anteater Express and opening up the potential gains of financial revenue if adopted by Anteater Express,

Whereas, currently AB 541 is in the State Senate of California and requires support on its final hurdles to passage and making this pilot program a reality for the Anteater Express and opening the potential financial avenues that come with it-shifting the main financial burden from students-,

Whereas, ASUCI Legislative Council acts as the voice of UCI undergraduate student body and as elected representatives has a responsibility to ensure the well being of the students they represent,

Whereas, the endorsement of AB 541 by ASUCI as a student government would greatly aid its potential road to passage, 

Let it be Resolved that ASUCI Legislative Council Adopts the attached letter of support for AB 541 and does so with the representation of the 27,000 strong UCI undergraduate student body,

Let it be further resolved that ASUCI Legislative Council strongly urges members of the California State Senate to adopt such a measure for the well-being of the UCI student community, 

Let it Letter of Support be the one Reflected Below with Changes made in Bold

May 16, 2013

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are writing to share with you the impact of AB 541, which would allow the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) to install digital signs on University transit vehicles.  This Bill is evidence of the University’s attempt to sustain vital student services while keeping tuition and fees affordable for our 27,000 students.

In the 2011-12 year, Anteater Express (the UC Irvine transit system) moved 2,023,562 passengers from the campus core to remote student housing locations, including six campus-based housing areas, three off-site apartment complexes, and a local retail shopping center.   Anteater Express vehicles are equipped with particulate filters that significantly reduce harmful emissions, keeping California’s air clean.  Due to our regular and on-time service, we have safely transported thousands of students to and from class while also creating a healthy habit of using sustainable transportation, reducing traffic congestion and eliminating the need for costly parking infrastructure.  Also, 98% of Anteater Express employees are students, which not only facilities student leadership development, but also brings down costs.  In fact, our cost per passenger trip is approximately one-third of the cost of the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Notwithstanding our efficiency, tremendous departmental budget cuts coupled with rising fuel and maintenance costs have left the Anteater Express program severely underfunded.  In the past five years, the program has averaged a $168,299 deficit each year for a six-year total of $841,495.  Over the past three years, we have worked to increase revenue through corporate partnerships, on-campus subsidies, a charter bus program, increased fares, and grants.  For example, last year we were awarded $98,000 (over two years) through FTA grant 5316, which allows us to provide transportation to a local retail location.  Overall, these fundraising efforts have brought in nearly $500,000 of revenue annually, yet we still experience budget shortfalls each year.  The campus has responded by eliminating a route to Newport Beach and is contemplating the cancellation of other routes, leaving many students without adequate transportation to school next year.   We fear this trend will continue if we do not seek out additional opportunities for revenue. 

There are many advantages to digital signage for our transit system.  The current print and installation cost to advertise on our fleet is significant; we receive only two-thirds of the revenue received after costs are applied.  With our current partnership with Multimedia LED, we will receive digital signs at no cost to us in exchange for a portion of our advertising revenue.  If passed, this bill will allow UC Irvine to both reduce rates to campus and community members and increase our net revenue, which would reduce our annual deficit.  Also, digital signs will be utilized to communicate public service announcements, important safety information, and vital emergency notifications, which will keep our campus safe in times of crisis.

Thank you for your consideration of AB 541.  We appreciate your continued support of the University of California.

Sincerely, 

Associated Students, University of California Irvine -Legislative Council