The new, reduced bus schedule is one step closer to becoming finalized.
Colorado Robertson, Student Government president, said Gary Graham, director of the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation, accepted SG’s recommendation on how to cut 10,000 hours from the yearly bus schedule.
The cuts follow an increase in CATS rates because of the rising price of fuel and a lack of funding.
Graham will enter contract negotiations with officials from the Capital Area Transit System on Thursday.
The final recommendation included eliminating the Shaw Center route, Tiger-Trams and replacing the Kirby Smith-Vet School route with Campus Transit.
Two buses would be removed from both the Greek B route and Tiger Land route. One bus would be removed from the Highland-Burbank route, Aster-E. State St. route and the night bus route on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when there is not a home football game.
Robertson said the night buses will all be re-routed to create a night bus hub in front of the University Student Recreational Complex.
“You can take Campus Transit from where ever you are on campus to the Rec where there will be security and lights,” Robertson said. “And that’s where the night bus will pick you up.”
Robertson said the “drunk bus” will still be available. “Once the contract is finalized new maps … will be released,” Robertson said. Robertson said he met with members of the Residence Hall Association, International Cultural Center and International Student Association to hear their opinions on cutting bus hours before making the final recommendation. Brandon Michael Boyd, SG director of transportation, also polled students who use the Highland-Burbank route and Tiger Land route, according to Robertson. “We kind of included everybody,” Robertson said. “There was about 15 to 20 people involved in making these recommendations and we think it’s a good cross-section.”Drew Prestridge, SG speaker pro tempore, said he is concerned about the new bus schedule.
“You’re getting rid of some routes all together, and especially with Easy Streets, people are relying on buses more than ever,” Prestridge said. “People aren’t going to be happy.”
Robertson said SG plans to make the transition easier by implementing a text-messaging hotline for students to use for complaints, posting the new maps at certain bus stops and online and working on a system to inform students when buses are on breaks.
“We know people aren’t going to be happy about it,” Robertson said. “We aren’t happy about it.”
Micah West, SG chief of staff, said students shouldn’t notice a difference if the new plan is implemented properly.
“If we can enforce the schedule the way we proposed it, there should be very little difference in service to students,” West said. “The best way we can make sure of that is if students use the text-line.”
Robertson also said he received verbal approval to allow students to use metered parking spots.
Graham confirmed there is a verbal agreement between University administrators and SG to allow students to use these once-restricted spots. Final confirmation of the agreement is still pending.
The SG summer planning committee is discussing what SG needs to be improve next year.
Members of the committee said they need to better inform student organizations of what funding is available for them. They also said a more professional decorum is needed during SG meetings. The SG summer planning committee is also working to re-write its governing documents.
—-Contact Katie Kennedy at [email protected]