AS ELEMENTARY school students, many of us sang the song "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round." Today, however, few among us can be found singing the praises of our bus system. The University Transit Service and the routes it operates are perennial targets of criticism and cynicism on the part of students. In response, UTS has embarked on a long overdue overhaul of its routes. Although some current riders could miss the bus under this new proposal, the plan overall will benefit the majority of students, as bus coverage and timeliness will be greatly improved.
The proposed changes as presented at an Oct. 23 community forum would revamp UTS' current web of circuitous routes into a coherent bus system servicing many points of interest on and around Grounds. As part of the proposal, the current blue/orange route, which is older than most of the riders using it, will be separated into two modular loops. This change is slated to take effect in fall 2008.
This system provides several distinct advantages. Most notably, it reduces the possibility of service delays and interruptions. Full service hours will also be extended from their current levels due to the dual-route structure. Furthermore, the planned changes will simplify bus arrival times. As stated in the UTS forum presentation, "buses will leave all scheduled stops on the hour and in 10 minute intervals." Finally, two modular routes will be much easier to learn and navigate for students than the sprawling blue/orange route. These changes, coupled with the GPS program, will increase bus efficiency and assist students in having detailed, accurate information on bus arrival times.
Perhaps the most significant change, however, is the shifting of service from off-Grounds areas to on-Grounds, University-maintained residential areas that are currently neglected. As a result of the modular, dual-route system, residents in the former fringe communities of Hereford and Lambeth will now fully be covered by bus service. UTS also plans to provide more bus service to first-year students living along Alderman Road. Overall, the proposed route changes will greatly improve coverage for more than2,000 University students.
Yet some people object to these changes. Among the most vocal of this group are the owners and residents of the University Heights apartment community. Under UTS route changes, service to U-Heights would be completely eliminated. Currently, the 730-person apartment community has three bus stops on its property.
According to Connie Dunn, U-Heights asset manager, the apartment community has 492 residents affiliated with the University. Though U-Heights is a worthy cause, it does not present as pressing a need as Lambeth or Hereford. University-maintained housing areas should be given priority in UTS coverage.
Furthermore, as stated on its Web site, U-Heights is "Within walking distance of U-Hall, Scott Stadium and Central Grounds!" Dunn estimates that the complex is 11 minutes walking distance from Scott Stadium. It appears that residents of U-Heights face no less arduous a trip than University students in Hereford and Lambeth. Faced with the decision to accommodate 492 people affiliated with the University, or thousands of students living on Grounds, UTS has decided to extend service to the latter. This decision can hardly be faulted.
Thankfully, both the apartment community and UTS are pursuing a compromise. Rebecca White, director of Parking and Transportation, notes that UTS is having ongoing meetings with U-Heights, and will further provide public forums with "Faulkner/Copeley, Hereford, and the off-Grounds housing office."
Likewise, U-Heights is seeking a compromise. Dunn notes that "University Heights is providing UTS with the results of an independent ridership survey that should provide the justification for a compromise to allow continuation of the bus service to University Heights." She added that the survey results will be available for public release after they have been shown to UTS.
Overall, both UTS and UHeights have shown a commendable level of cooperation in the face of potential conflict. Though each group has seemingly competing interests, a mutually beneficial, non-controversial compromise can be reached. UTS should adjust service to U-Heights so that buses travel to and from the complex less frequently than under the current configuration. The three bus stops at U-Heights should be reduced to one.
Under these proposed route changes, UTS will fully serve thousands more students living on Grounds. With a few minor adjustments, it can also meet existing obligations to off-Grounds housing areas such as U-Heights. Through further compromise between U-Heights and UTS, the bus service will be able to accommodate all relevant groups without compromising its proposed coverage and schedule enhancements.
James Rogers's column appears Fridays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at jrogers@cavalierdaily.com.
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