Change to RTS service debated
By Josue Cornier
Last Updated:4:27 PM EST 4/22/09 Section: News
This year the Student Government Association (SGA) replaced the student shuttle with the Regional Transit Service (RTS) in an effort to save money. However, some students feel that this option is not safe or conventient to use.
College students often place importance on flexibility and value, which is what SGA was aiming for when they made the switch to RTS as students' official transportation provider.
The shuttle was only available for use on Saturday and Sunday, while RTS is available for use every day of the week.
One reason for the switch was to lower costs.
"It has saved SGA money," Director of Student Services Jim Kennedy said. "The school has taken on the cost and we've been able to do more club sponsorships and take on more services in general."
However, not everybody is pleased with this change.
Lyndi Hall, new multimedia coordinator for the Student Activities Board (SAB) has not had a pleasant experience with RTS.
"Students do not have a six-hour time slot in their days to take the bus to Wegmans and back," she said. "The bus system not only is very time consuming, but the drivers have never been pleasant or in any way helpful.
"I will never take the RTS bus again and would not suggest it to anyone. There are sketchy people on the bus and I felt very insecure and felt my safety could have been at risk," she said.
Kennedy believes there could be a great experience in riding the bus especially for those who are not from Rochester.
"It is a different experience from those who are not from the city," he said. "There is a lot of diversity. On the same bus, you'll find both businessmen taking the bus to work as well as others who have no other way to get around."
Students can pick up an all-day pass from the bookstore, Campus Center desk or the SGA office in the Campus Center. A bus stop is located on the road in front of Keough Hall. In addition, RTS has more times available.
College students often place importance on flexibility and value, which is what SGA was aiming for when they made the switch to RTS as students' official transportation provider.
The shuttle was only available for use on Saturday and Sunday, while RTS is available for use every day of the week.
One reason for the switch was to lower costs.
"It has saved SGA money," Director of Student Services Jim Kennedy said. "The school has taken on the cost and we've been able to do more club sponsorships and take on more services in general."
However, not everybody is pleased with this change.
Lyndi Hall, new multimedia coordinator for the Student Activities Board (SAB) has not had a pleasant experience with RTS.
"Students do not have a six-hour time slot in their days to take the bus to Wegmans and back," she said. "The bus system not only is very time consuming, but the drivers have never been pleasant or in any way helpful.
"I will never take the RTS bus again and would not suggest it to anyone. There are sketchy people on the bus and I felt very insecure and felt my safety could have been at risk," she said.
Kennedy believes there could be a great experience in riding the bus especially for those who are not from Rochester.
"It is a different experience from those who are not from the city," he said. "There is a lot of diversity. On the same bus, you'll find both businessmen taking the bus to work as well as others who have no other way to get around."
Students can pick up an all-day pass from the bookstore, Campus Center desk or the SGA office in the Campus Center. A bus stop is located on the road in front of Keough Hall. In addition, RTS has more times available.
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