Transportation woes at the newly-built Sterling University Apartments have spurred calls for reform over the past week.
Residents of Sterling were forced to combat overcrowded vans that rarely arrived or departed on schedule when attempting to travel to Grounds last week.
Sterling residents are complaining of the service, mainly to each other, while Student Council considers its options in alleviating the situation.
Chastity Mead, Sterling assistant manager and bookkeeper, said the problems students encountered last week have been corrected.
"We had one problem when the bus was in the shop, but the problem has been corrected," Mead said. "Corporate is taking other measures as we speak."
Mead attributed the problems to difficulties in starting a new shuttle service.
"It's all part of being brand new and getting started," Mead said. "It takes time to work out kinks."
She added that demand for the shuttle service was higher than had been anticipated.
"I feel that with the amount of student housing projects going in this area and Jefferson Park Avenue, it would be very beneficial for University Transport Service to assist in the transport of these students," Mead said.
Parking and Transportation Director Rebecca White said any plans to extend regular bus service to Sterling or Eagles Landing apartments are not feasible, due to the narrow roads connecting the apartment complexes to Grounds.
Council Parking and Transportation Committee Chair Rory Francisco said the University's buses are too heavy to travel that route, and a bridge along the route cannot support the weight of a bus.
Eagles Landing is another apartment complex set to open soon, designed to serve University students located beyond Sterling.
According to White, three conditions must be satisfied in order for University transit service to serve an area. University buses must be able to reach the area, the area must contain a critical mass of students and the bus must be able to make multiple stops along its route.
"We are going to look for the best short term solution," Francisco said. "We hope that by the time Eagles Landing is in place, we will have better transportation to that area."
Francisco said the transportation difficulties were brought up at the committee's meeting last Friday.
The committee initially plans to expand the University's Saferide program, which currently does not service Sterling.
"Saferide only goes in one mile of the University," Francisco said. "It's important that students are safe and have a way to get home."
Saferide currently takes Sterling residents to the corner of Jefferson Park Avenue. At that point, residents must walk three quarters of a mile to reach their apartments.
Francisco also said the committee will consider petitioning Sterling to add another shuttle bus to their transportation service. Adding another shuttle bus to the route would address many of the complaints of Sterling residents.
"I'm not as bitter as some of the people out there," said third-year College student Peter Wuvvels, a Sterling resident. "I wish we had two. If we had two we wouldn't have these problems."
Wuvvels said the shuttle's inability to stick to schedule is a major source of irritation.
"It's hard enough to catch the one bus, but it is infinitely more difficult when the bus doesn't come on time," he said.
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