CrimsonRide's first semester brings changes

CrimsonRide, the Capstone's transit system, has been in the works for a semester and has thus far seen several changes to make the bus routes more timely and efficient.

However, Ralph Clayton, assistant director of Transportation Services, said some changes must still be made.

Clayton said Transportation Services initially had to adjust the routes to meet users' needs. Their main concern, he said, has been to reduce the wait time for students, which has been altered by removing some stops as well as adding stops where needed.

One of the changes that recently went into effect was the expansion of the blue express route. The blue express is a route that services the east side of campus, and it now runs by the Quad area as well.

"It's designed to service the east side of the campus and instead of stopping at the transit hub students can now get to Amelia [Gayle] Gorgas Library and the Rose Administration building without having to switch buses," Clayton said.

As for the spring semester, Clayton said Transportation Services will make adjustments to the gold and green routes. Clayton said the idea is to reduce the green route stops near Campus Drive, because it takes too long to make these stops.

Next semester there will also be adjustments to the nights and weekends service that services the perimeter routes, which are mainly resident hall routes.

Willy Hood, a CrimsonRide bus driver, has been working for the system since the beginning of the semester. He said he would like to see a reduction of supervisors who oversee the transit drivers.

"We have too many supervisors, and I don't see any need for so many since the transit drivers are good and well-experienced drivers," Hood said.

Hood said he also wants more amber or flashing lights on the sides and front of the buses so pedestrians will not walk in front of the buses as often.

He said he has honked his horn several times at pedestrians, and it makes him nervous that he could hit someone.

Caroline Crow, a freshman majoring in nutrition, said she is satisfied with the system. Crow said she has adjusted to the wait time for the transit buses.

"It has gotten much better as far as wait time goes," she said. " At the beginning I didn't like waiting for a bus, but now the time is significantly shorter."