Spring Break
Pilot program puts bigger shuttles to test
- Page 1 of 1
|
In an attempt to improve the Security escort service at Hopkins, the university revealed a new trial shuttle program last Thursday that goes through an outside contractor, which employs professional drivers for the weekend shuttle service. In a campus-wide e-mail, Lieutenant George Kibler, Lieutenant of Transportation Services, outlined the changes to be made, which will operate on an experimental basis for the next 30 days.
The contractor, the Yellow Bus Company, will replace student and part-time civilian drivers Thursday through Saturday nights with the company's professional drivers operating bigger yellow buses in lieu of the previously used blue escort vans. The blue escort vans will continue to operate during the off-peak weekday shifts.
Security, in conjunction with the administration, annually evaluates the effectiveness of the campus security system, including but not limited to transportation on and around campus. The goal of the Security Department assessment is first and foremost to improve the campus community in terms of safety and functionality.
After evaluating the escort service over the summer, Kibler said, "The Yellow Bus Company reported to the university that while the student drivers were doing an excellent job given the circumstances, they felt they could provide parallel or better service."
The decision to change the escort service was made in accordance with the university's feeling that this change has the potential to create a safer and better functioning community.
Kibler explained: "Historically, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday have always been the busiest nights for the escort service. So we thought about trying to put extra vans out; however, sometimes this has proven difficult for us because of the regime's lack of labor and vehicle resources."
The motivation to change the shuttle service was twofold, including an increase in carrying capacity and availability of buses.
The adjustment includes the utilization of larger vehicles with more significant carrying capabilities. While the blue escort vans could hold 11 passengers, the yellow buses have the ability to hold 21 students. This adjustment in shuttle size was made in effort to prevent groups from splitting up or individuals being left alone somewhere.
Also, the new system employs professional drivers that can work full night shifts without a break -- a valuable factor that will allow for the maximum number of shuttles available all evening, as time will not be spent returning to campus to change drivers.
The decision that is presently in the process of being implemented is expected to concern a variety of students on campus.
The affected students will nclude new Hopkins students, those who have taken the shuttles in the past, and those who were previously employed by the university driving shuttle vans.
Campus security considers the effect that the changed system will have on new students to be most significant.
The alteration was made at the beginning of the new school year because the greatest number of students employ the shuttle service during the first few months, according to Kibler.
The number of students using the escort service during this time period generally reaches 12,000, whereas the number generally falls to 10,000 by February or March.
By bringing in an outside contractor during this period of relatively high influx of shuttle riders, the security office and the university hope to cater to these new students exploring this facet of transportation.
Kibler explains, "We saw an opportunity to perhaps better service during a critical time when freshmen come in."
Those who have used the service in years past are projected to be minimally affected by this change in shuttle service.
For students who regularly use the new shuttle system, the change is expected to increase the sitting space on buses and the reliability of having professional drivers working full night shifts.
Finally, the university's decision to contract outside drivers consequently means that some students that previously relied on this job for minimal income will have to find other means to make money on campus.
While the student-driven shuttle vans will continue to operate during the off-peak weekday shifts, the weekend shifts will no longer be available to Hopkins students.
Kibler recognized that some students who depend on the money made from driving the shuttles will potentially suffer.
However, he said, "Student employees are not the victims in this decision if we see the end result as better for the community as a whole."
The security department will also consider the possibility of placing student monitors at certain key spots on campus to educate peers about the functionality of the new shuttle system.
The use of the Yellow Bus Company remains on a trial basis, in large part dictating the decision to have these larger buses run only on the weekend.
"This was a manageable investment because we identified a core period, and we can easily expand from there," Kibler said.
To evaluate the success of the program, the security office is asking students to fill out surveys assessing the new shuttle service.
Campus security received 41 completed surveys from Friday night, the first night of the new Yellow Bus shuttles, and 91 from Saturday night.
While it is too early to speculate how students will react to the change, Kibler noted that "of the few [surveys] I have read so far it is apparent that we are getting good feedback. More students feel an improvement."
Campus security recognizes the importance of educating Hopkins students in order to bring the program to success.
"We wish to instill confidence so that the students know what to look for," Kibbler said.
Campus security is currently looking to various outlets on campus to raise awareness about the new program.
In addition to a campus-wide e-mail that was sent out informing students of the change in escort service, the security office is requesting that resident advisors also talk with residents about the new shuttle service.
The school is also in the process of putting magnetic signs and the school seal on the buses to make them more identifiable.
"If we can get the yellow bus easily identifiable and more people picked up, the level of confidence will grow," Kibler sai.
He emphasized that it is "an understanding of the process and a willingness to do it right that together will make [this enterprise] a success."