New shuttle stop receives trial run
On Nov. 10, as a product of collaboration between the USU Innovation Campus and Parking and Transportation, the 800 East express changed its route to include students, faculty and staff that use the Innovation Campus.
The route used to follow 800 East and turn around at the poultry farm just past 1400 North. As of a little over a week ago, the shuttle added 1600 North and the Innovation Campus to its route, tacking on three or four minutes to the ride.
Alden Erickson, Aggie Shuttle supervisor, said the route runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and the length of time it takes the shuttle to come full circle depends on the time of day and the flow of traffic.
“My main motivation for changing it comes from the Innovation Campus. They are paying a fee to have the shuttle come to their campus,” Erickson said.
Erickson said he has received a positive reaction from the Innovation Campus, but otherwise has received no reaction at all.
Robbie Petersen, junior in agricultural systems and technology and a driver for the 800 East express, said they’ve received a few complaints from students, generally related to the extra time that the route takes.
“People complain to me, but they need to use the comment box if they want to be heard,” Erickson said.
Chelsea Blackburn, senior in interior design, said the change has affected her decision to ride the shuttle.
“If I’m in a big hurry I will ask my boyfriend or a roommate for a ride because it takes an extra 10 minutes to ride the shuttle,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn said she felt that the change could be useful, but wasn’t effective in its goals.
“I’ve seen a few people get on and off, but not enough to make a difference,” Blackburn said.
Sierra Nicoll, freshman in chemistry, still rides the shuttle despite the change, she said.
“It’s good for people who need to go to (the Innovation Campus), and I still ride it,” Nicoll said.
Petersen said the new route could have positive outcomes for all students, not just those on the Innovation Campus, but noted there are challenges that come with changing a bus route.
“Getting the students in the apartments along Eighth East, in Old Farm and Oakridge, getting them used to it will be hard, but if it does well it will benefit them because they will eventually get another bus on this route,” Petersen said.
Erickson also highlighted some of the benefits that the university and its students would receive from the change.
“Sustainability. The students at the Innovation Campus don’t have to drive to campus anymore. It’s better for there to be just one vehicle coming up to campus every 10 to 12 minutes,” Erickson said.
The route is a trial run that will be evaluated at the end of the academic year to decide if they will run the route in the future, he said.
Erickson said he was also concerned with the safety of the students and encouraged those who live on the west side of 800 East to take the 800 East express and avoid jaywalking to the Stadium express.
“The police and I are interested in the safety of the students and encourage them to take the Eighth East shuttle,” Erickson said.
Petersen said the route is a nice change of scenery, easier to turn the bus around in and praised the growth.
“It’s good that the university is expanding. I hope the students give it a chance,” Petersen said.
–beck.turner@aggiemail.usu.edu