Northwestern is working to improve its campus shuttle service to create shorter waits and commutes with revamped bus routes starting Monday. Also in the works is a new Nextel Global Positioning System, which will allow students to check their bus’s status online.
The Purple Express Route will circle from the steps of Norris University Center to the Sports Pavilion and Aquatics Center in 10 minutes — less than half the 30 minutes the revamped Purple Route will take through Evanston.
“I’m very positive about these changes because they are student-driven,” said Debra Garfi, senior manager of University Services. “We’re really working to meet changing student needs.”
The change is a result of a study that began in January to analyze the bus service’s efficiency. Administrators evaluated ridership figures to gauge utilization of routes and stops. University Services also considered input from student e-mails, Associated Student Government senators and Escort Service drivers when redrawing the routes.
The new routes will replace the current White Route and Purple North and South Routes and will run until the end of Spring Quarter. Usage will set services for the 2004-05 academic year.
NU is following a national trend of installing GPS technology in transportation vehicles. Pace buses already utilize the technology.
The new system cost less than $1,000 to buy and install.
In addition to upgrading technology, student safety was also a concern for administrators who evaluated the shuttle routes.
GPS will allow students to better plan their transportation, Garfi said. Within the next three weeks, students will be able to track the location of shuttles through either the HereAndNow Web site or the University Services homepage.
“This will lessen the time students have to wait outside for a bus,” Garfi said. “They will be able to click on a Web site and check the current location of the shuttles, get ready to go and leave at the appropriate time rather than waiting around outside by themselves.”
Education senior Charles Dabbs said he sees the merits of the improvement, although he does not use the shuttle himself.
“(The change) will be good for off-campus safety,” Dabbs said.
Although the changes were designed to expedite transportation and increase usage, some students still do not plan to use shuttles as their main transportation. Weinberg sophomore Geeta Dhingra said she rarely rides the shuttle now and questions the efficiency of the new routes.
“I just hate waiting and waiting … The shuttle never seems to come,” Dhingra said. “It will probably still be faster just to walk rather than wait for a ride.”
