Public Safety is running a new local shuttle system, designed to be more efficient for students.
Last year, Washington and Lee University’s local shuttle services were provided on an on-call basis. Students would call the Public Safety number, tell them their student number, and wait until the shuttle could pick them up and take them to Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion and other Lexington locations. There were many complaints from students about the efficiency of the shuttle, as wait times could be up to 30 minutes, said Craig VanClief, the director of public safety.
This year, the shuttles run more like a bus system, with two shuttles running on the same route with fixed stops. Currently, the shuttle runs a route between the University Chapel Lot, quad, the Woods Creek Apartments, the law school, the Village Apartments, Sorority Row, the Global Service House, Davidson Park, Kroger, Food Lion, Goodwill and Walmart, according to the Public Safety website. There are also multiple locations available upon request, including the Rockbridge Area Health Center, Waddell Elementary, 2 Main St. and more. Students are no longer required to call Public Safety and can simply hop on with a swipe of their ID cards.
Jasmine Zhang, ’27, said she enjoys the new shuttle system but would like to be able to track where the shuttles are so she can better plan out her trip.
The Ring-tum Phi talked with VanClief to learn more about the system. This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How does the current shuttle system work?
A: There are two shuttle buses that run continuously for eight hours. It is a nonstop circuit of two buses with designated stopping points so people are free to hop on and hop off. The buses will stop if they see anyone waiting at the stops. When you get on the buses, just swipe your ID card and you are good to go!
Q: Why was the shuttle system changed in the first place?
A: We have gotten many complaints from the students saying that the wait times were long. We want to make it more like a transit system this year, with specific stops where buses will be at a specific time. So, instead of students having to call Public Safety to say where they are and where they want to go, the shuttle will stop at specific stops and take them wherever they want to go.
Q: How effective do you think the new shuttle program is currently?
A: Since it has only been a couple of weeks since the shuttle program started, we are still at the phase where we are collecting data. So far, it is looking like it is much more effective, cost-efficient and time-efficient for the students.
Q: Did you receive any complaints from the drivers last year?
A: No. Not from the drivers directly. However, we have received concerns from the drivers about the students. Students would often call and say that they were outside of a building but decide to go back in and wait since wait times would often be long. The drivers would then go to that area and miss the students. It comes down to a safety issue.
Q: Have you considered putting a live tracking system for the shuttles?
A: The system is still very much new, and we are in the middle of figuring out what works best for our community. However, when the system is finalized, I know that the students will love it.
Q: Have you received any feedback from students about the new system this year?
A: No. Not yet. If you have any feedback, be sure to email me about your concerns while we are still in the process of finalizing the shuttle. Your input is extremely valuable. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
