UK Parking and Transportation Services is changing its name to Transportation Services to better reflect what the organization actually does.

Transportation Services has launched several significant initiatives in the past few years to improve campus accessibility and the commuting methods available around UK.

In the summer of 2015, Transportation Services partnered with Lextran to start BluPass, allowing Kentucky students to ride for free on any Lextran route.

Transportation Services also makes continuous efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian traffic on campus with programs such as the free repair resource Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library, the Big Blue Cycles and the bike voucher programs to make cycling more accessible.

It’s reasons like these why UK Transportation Services officials say the name change was necessary to better reflect the purpose of the organization.

“As a department we do a lot more than just handling parking around campus,” said Transportation Services Communications Officer Chrissie Tune. “We wanted a name that better reflected what we do, such as our partnership with Lextran for the BluPass program as well as a number of bicycle initiatives.”

Efforts to improve transportation options on campus at UK will continue during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Transportation Services plans to expand on the concept of tier parking for the next academic year, with the cost of parking depending on location. For example, students and staff who elect to park in locations such as K Lot rather than near their buildings will receive a discount.

Applications for the third year of the bike voucher program will open on April 10 and close June 30.

The changes and initiatives being made by Transportation Services are all a part of their Transportation Master Plan, which looks to improve mobility and access to and around campus.