Instead of making friends with that unlucky freshman who brought a car to school, students can now ride a shuttle bus from North Campus to the Boulevard Mall and Tops International Supermarket.
Campus Parking and Transportation Services has introduced a shuttle service on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m. that runs from the dorms to the popular Maple Road destinations.
The shuttles, with destination signs reading "Market," depart every 30 minutes from the Ellicott tunnel and Governors bus stops.
Though some students find the shuttles convenient, many wish the service would expand.
"I think they need to expand their hours on Saturday, and instead of doing it on a Wednesday, do it on a Friday," said Yetunde Odewunmi, a sophomore mathematics major.
Odewunmi, who lives in Clement Hall on South Campus, said it would also be too difficult to commute to North Campus and then catch the Market shuttle during the limited service hours. "I think they should run buses from South Campus too," she said. Other students already use different means of transportation to get to the mall.
"I usually go to South Campus and take the Metro bus from there," said Adi Ponugoti, a junior biotechnology major.
Campus Transportation is also increasing shuttle service to alleviate the burdens of overcapacity students residing in nearby motels. From the Super 8 Motel on Flint Road, shuttles run every 20 minutes to campus. From the Microtel off Interstate 290 in Tonawanda, shuttles run from 7:20 a.m. until 1:20 a.m., and from the Microtel hotel from 6:45 a.m. until 2 a.m.
The buses' free services are utilized approximately 2.5 million times a year, according to Campus Parking and Transportation Services. The Ellicott Express along with Green, Red and Blue Lines are all North Campus-bound buses. The Orange Line transports students within the South Campus. An additional shuttle moves students between the two campuses.
To ensure that the need for mass transit is met sufficiently, each driver is equipped with a count sheet detailing which time and what route has shown the highest amount of popularity. Using this method, UB Transportation Coordinator Christopher H. Austin said he is able to effectively gauge the demand for the buses.
"After the first week, the demand is being satisfied," Austin said.
Maria Wallace, assistant director of UB Transportation, emphasized the need for the bussing system.
"Getting people to ride the buses instead of parking their cars wherever they go helps eliminate congestion," Wallace said.
Glenn Zimmer, a shuttle bus driver, stressed the importance of bus service to apartments like Creekside Village and Flickinger Court, which are at considerable walking distances from the academic spine but not far enough to constitute a car ride.
"You can't drive that far and try to fight for a parking spot with a commuter," said Zimmer.
Right now, students and staff are all pitching in to aid others in finding the relevant shuttle for a specific destination, Wallace said. In the future she hopes to set up a contest with prizes that will get the word out about campus transportation.
Officials said student feedback was the primary factor in the creation of the Red Line, and they encourage suggestions for improvement of the shuttle system.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
