Dominican shuttle schedule for Spring 2020 raises concern of communication and transportation inconveniences for students.
The new Dominican shuttle schedule is effective from January 15 to May 15, 2020. The shuttle runs on an hourly schedule from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays while class is in session. The weekend and non-class shuttle schedule is once for every two hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Carol Seley, interim director of Campus Safety, notes the change in the shuttle route and the decision for more efficient transportation.
“We wanted to make more meaningful runs to the Green Line connecting the city to Dominican in a more intentional way now that the Priory is significantly less active,” Seley said. “We changed some of time slots along with the route that drivers take”.
The strategy Campus Safety shuttles adopted is stopping at Priory in the morning ride back to Main and stopping at Priory in the evening from Main to Green Line.
“The new Main to Green to Priory and then back to Main is more efficient in the morning,” Seley said, “while the Main to Priory to Green and back to Main is more effective in the later part of the day”.
Seley also pointed out Campus Safety’s attentiveness toward student transportation needs.
“We are consistently collecting feedback and running data on ridership counts and need,” Seley said. “Any and all schedule changes made are to either meet or accommodate any significant need in ridership”.
Seley said Campus Safety is conscious of costs in maintaining the shuttle service. When an empty shuttle transportation wasted manpower, fuel, and increased wear on the shuttle, Campus Safety eliminated continuous rides.
“It is important to note that we are always looking to eliminate low to zero ridership runs as there is zero return on investment when we run the shuttle with no riders” Seley said.
Seley encouraged students to plan reasonably in accordance with the shuttle schedule. She mentioned DUBike program and getting a ride as alternative transporation options.
“Think practically about the shuttles’ limitations,” Seley said, “If Uber can’t get you in between campuses in less than 5 minutes during peak time than neither can the shuttle”.
Alecx Hernandez, a recent graduate and a former commuter, said that better communication, such as through email and Campus Safety social media, is the key to inform students of the shuttle schedule change.
Xesenia Schrepser, a commuter and vice president of the Commuter Student Association, mentions the changes she had to make in her morning routine to catch the hourly shuttle.
“With the new shuttle schedule,” Schrepser said, “it makes my commute a lot harder to school. Just because given it [shuttle] only comes on the 20 minutes mark and every hour, I have to wake up a lot earlier just to make it to the main campus on time. I have scoliosis so I can’t really walk from on campus to the other, so I depend a lot on the shuttle”.
Hernandez mentioned that the shuttle is especially helpful for commuters at the Priory stop.
“I feel like it would be more beneficial for students,” Hernandez said, “especially those who use the CTA or Pace just to get to Division and Harlem”.
For the weekend schedule, Hernandez suggested having a call in to foster better communication between shuttle drivers and riders.
“It was a little inconvenient combing back from the green line,” Hernandez said, “because you kind of have to estimate and make an awkward phone call on the train to the shuttle. But I still think more accommodating to students and if you don’t get a phone call on the top of that hour, you don’t have to drive the shuttle anywhere”.
Hernandez said that rearranging a transportation after missing the shuttle is an inconvenience and challenge for commuters.
“I really hope students don’t have to pitch in for a Uber last minute because they missed the shuttle or the shuttle wasn’t coming,” Hernandez said. “I really hope that doesn’t become the situation because they shouldn’t be paying for it; it should be included [in their tuition]”.
Seley noted student needs and general University changes will affect future shuttle schedule.
“It would be safe to assume that changes will come as long as there are changes in demand and as part of other overarching University decisions,” Seley said.
