UB unveils new bus fleet

Do you have fond memories of yellow 'cheese buses'? Seat belts? Bus aides? Spitballs? Hot green vinyl seats?

UB transportation officials hope your answer is "Yes."

A group of about 20 yellow buses made their appearance on campus this week, and soon will take over the whole fleet as part of UB's new transportation contract with the security and transportation company Cognisa.

John Grela - the director of public safety, parking, transportation, the university police, and the emergency response system - stated that the newly purchased buses might not be what students and faculty expected to see cruising the university's roadways.

"We signed a contract with a new company that is really well known in Texas for their accuracy," said Grela. "The buses are similar to what many know as yellow buses. I hope this doesn't come as too big of a shock."

According to Grela, the accuracy and dependability of the new buses is just as good as the old Coach USA buses, and they really beat the old buses in terms of cost efficiency.

"We saved a great deal of money by signing with this company, and we think it will be a great investment," said Grela.

Although Grela may have a positive outlook on the newly purchased line of buses, some students do not agree.

"I think it's an outrage," said Lindsey Schmidt, a junior health and human services major. "Why should we have to pay so much in tuition, and have our tuition increased, when we're going to be riding in yellow school buses like we were in elementary school?"

In addition, the naming contest for the bus system is over, and a winner has been selected, according to Maria Wallace, the interim director of parking and transportation.

In honor of UB's mascot, Wallace said, the cheese-colored fleet will be called "The Victor E. Bus."

"The sight of a sputtering yellow cheese bus with Victor E. Bull horns cruising down Millersport Highway is just what UB needs to inspire pride in our university," Wallace said.

The new buses will also require all students to wear the provided seatbelts due to liabilities that the bus company may suffer, Wallace said.

Because the use of seatbelts will increase the safety level on these new buses, some students think the new buses will be a great asset to UB as they have been for Texas State University.

"The new buses look great and they bring back fond memories of when I was growing up," said Ben Varghese, senior accounting major. "Food fight!"

Grela said that UB had been under a contract with the Coach USA bus company for the past 25 years, and it was time for a change, due to the numerous complaints being made about the buses.

"We signed the contract with Cognisa because they have done a great job in Texas and we really wanted to go with a company we could trust," Grela said. "I hope everyone likes the new buses, and please remember to buckle your seatbelts."