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JBSA News
NEWS | April 12, 2011

AFPC shuttle service and satellite parking

By Brian McGloin 502nd Air base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

With the newest Air Force Personnel Center Civilian Personnel Office building up and humming with activity and renovation in the main AFPC building scheduled to continue for another two and a half years, a new problem parked right outside.

The renovation of Bldg. 499 has scattered AFPC employees to different buildings around the base. Some buildings have limited parking because of where they are while other parts of the base have ample parking.

One parking solution was a temporary shuttle bus service to allow people to park in satellite parking areas in the BXtra parking lot near the Kendrick Club on the west side or Hangar 16 near the library on Fifth Street East next to Bldg. 20 where parking spaces are more plentiful on the east side. A shuttle bus will make a route from these two places to Bldgs. 499, 663, 667 and 997 every 15 minutes to pick up and drop off AFPC employees before and after work and for lunch.

"Bldg. 977 has very limited parking, and that's the problem and the main reason for the shuttle," said James Grobe, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron deputy director. "After the renovation there won't be any more shuttle."

The bus route is similar to what a municipal bus would take and the stops are marked by signs. The route makes a loop around the BXtra parking lot then heads down Fifth Street West and across H Street to Fifth Street East and then returns.

Mr. Grobe said they will study the ridership of the buses and make any adjustments "along the way."

"Ridership is very important to keeping this service, so I encourage everyone to ride the shuttle," said Ralph Williams, AFPC civil engineer, in an email to AFPC employees.
Mr. Grobe said the morning route will be extended an hour to 9 a.m. to make it easier for people who come in at 8:30.

Another parking solution is to not park on base at all and make use of other means.

"Good parking at some facilities on base is a premium; a prime example would be at AFPC where parking is very limited and a challenge," said Ray Lott 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Operator Records & Licensing. "Going to lunch or an appointment will usually result in a lost parking spot; a solution to AFPC's parking woes is vanpooling."

Mr. Lott is a vanpool driver as part of his regular commute.

He said using the Vanpool service reduces the number of parking spots used as well as driving-related stress -- including trying to find a parking space.

"Using the Vanpool program saves money on fuel, operations and maintenance costs on [personally operated vehicles], which we all can use with today's economic situation," he said.

The shuttle bus will run from 6 to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. until the renovations to AFPC buildings are complete.

For more information, call Richard Trevino at 652-2401.