By Chris Beckstrand

As a CSB Senator, I took the opportunity to speak to CSB/SJU Transportation Director Mike Juntunen about the Link and how to improve our busing experience. It’s a fact of life at CSB/SJU that our schedules revolve around the Link’s schedule.

It’s a fact that at any given point, we’re liable to complain about the inconvenience that busing causes: long lines, possible late arrivals to class, odd dates or meeting times.

I’m sure we’ve all noticed the long lines extending from the entrance to the Gorecki to Clemens Library or the line extending up the stairs in front of Sexton. But before we begin to complain, let’s give it some thought.

Think about it. How many of us really want to get up for an 8 a.m. class, especially one scheduled for the campus opposite our residence? And who among us wants to stay in class until 4 p.m. in the afternoon?

Certainly the 9:40 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. classes are most popular for our schedules and sleep cycles. But the high numbers of students attending these classes also clog our buses.

With high numbers of students and only half an hour between classes, lack of time will always be a factor. Even five minutes would improve the flow of students and buses, but the current class schedule doesn’t allow that, and Transportation’s hands are tied.

The advent of the Gorecki Dining Center has no doubt changed the distribution and flow of
students between our two campuses.

The CSB/SJU Transportation Department has already brought in extra Trobeck’s buses to help with the extra students at dinner time who want transportation from one campus to another.

Mr. Juntunen has been overseeing the bus schedules regularly throughout the year, constantly troubleshooting various problems in order to improve the timeliness of the Link.

Changes have already been made to the scheduled bus arrivals after class releases at 3:50 p.m. at both CSB and SJU, gradually moving last bus pick up times at both campuses to 4:03 p.m.

How can we improve the experiencefor ourselves? Load the bus from the back to the front. This can save a lot of time for the rest of us waiting behind you as you sit down in the middle of the bus.

Running to the bus at the last minute as it’s pulling away from the curb and then expecting it to stop for you is rude. It could cost the bus driver his or her job — and the Transportation Department its license — if it stops at a non-licensed bus stop.

Dress warmly and get on the first available bus — waiting inside until the last possible moment only slows the loading process for us all. Keep up etiquette on the Link that we all know and love.

The Transportation Department is constantly working to improve the system we have. Suggestions are welcome. So the next time you get on the Link, hang up that cell phone, take out your iPod earbuds and thank your bus driver.

This is the opinion of Chris
Beckstrand, a CSB junior.

Filed under: Opinion by Tan Tuohy