Despite changes that have been made in recent years, the University bus system is not only far from perfect, it is most often infuriating.
For students on campus who do not own a car, or simply for those who wish to save gas, hassle and environmental emissions, the Blue Beetle sounds ideal. But more that than, it’s essential. In order to get off the island and into the Manhattan our University boasts close proximity to, we must use the bus. Asking a friend or calling a cab are not always time- or cost-efficient. But the single mode of transportation for an entire campus is not the first option students choose, and this is a problem. The Blue Beetle is not punctual, efficient or friendly.
Most of our staff has experienced semester-long terrorism at the hand of this annoyance-on-wheels because of internships in New York City. Stories of the bus not showing up, leaving too early, picking up at a different location, breaking down and generally hindering us from getting to our obligations fly around the office weekly. As a result, we feel adequately qualified to express our specific concerns with the Blue Beetle, Road Runner and whatever new yellow bus Public Safety is now also using.
1) Busses should be on time. Regardless of whatever rounds it makes around campus, the sole purpose is to get students to the train station. When the busses do not come on time, due to the fact that they insist on cutting their time so close, they do not make the train. Congratulations, you’re now an extra hour late.
2) Busses should only pick up at two or three locations on campus. There is no need to loop around the entire grounds when only a specific few points are actually utilized. By going directly to these points, the bus would save time and perhaps get students to the train before it actually pulls out of the station.
3) Busses should go solely to Mineola station. As recently as 2007, the Blue Beetle went only to Hempstead station. Most of us hadn’t heard of Mineola as a feasible location – it was a magical far-off place where trains came often, on time and no one feared their life when exiting the train. While we commend PS on bringing night-time service to the much better alternative, it would also make life considerably easier and safer if Hempstead just wasn’t dealt with. Trains only come once and hour there and also take considerably longer to arrive at Penn Station because of the transferring. Mineola is quicker, easier and safer. Why hasn’t it happened yet?
4) There are several busses in the University’s possession, but only one may run at a time. Why is this? If busses ran twice an hour, going to Mineola (see above point), students would have a lot of options and be freed from the slavery that one enters into when having to take the bus. Imagine going to one location (of three on campus) every 30 minutes, entering a chauffered vehicle and just getting there!
5) If you are going to intern, inform them of the bus situation and disclaim that you may be late some days…really really late. More often than not, the stellar busses break down, and usually at 8 a.m. In this situation, PS do not worry themselves, nor will they tell you. You simply stand in the cold and wait…and wait…and wait… While it seems reasonable acceptable for an officer to escort the three students waiting to the station in a fancy SUV, it just is not the case. So prepare to be late and feel like you’re blaming a mystery buss every week.
6) Bus drivers are unpleasant and rather unsafe. Namely, the gentleman who drives the Mineola bus in the afternoons. We have often clung to the seats to keep from falling away. But just this past week, as the shiny new white bus took a left by Nassau/Suffolk at about 45 miles-an-hour, we fell out of the chair, into the aisle and began rolling down the bus. Mr. Driver was not at all concerned, did not stop but rather, continued to barrel through campus at exaggerated speeds, barely coming to a complete stop to let students out. It’s a shame as other drivers are just so sweet.
The bus service is crucial and essential and its existence makes us all happy. But as such an important tool in the lives of students, professors and guests, there are many changes that need to be made if those sans automobile are to live as happily as those with wheels. Public Safety, here’s looking at you.