Shuttle Bus Redux

In November 1995 in this space, I wrote a scathing piece about the Harvard Shuttle Services. I cursed the powers-that-be for forcing me to walk to Currier House after waiting for shuttles that never came and hanging on the line for Escort Service operators who never picked up. Following the appearance of that column, General Manager of Tranport Services Peter Witt kindly called to discuss my concerns. Since then, thanks to Witt's Herculean efforts, only a handful of shuttles have plain not showed.

Ever since then, I have been very grateful not to have to worry about whether a shuttle that was supposed to appear at the Science Center at 11:22 p.m. would actually appear.

And last night, at a Quad Shuttle Bus Forum at the Hilles Library Cinema, I was again grateful to see four high-ranking transportation services officials give up two hours of their night to listen to 20 students' complaints about the shuttle bus program. Such willingness to talk with students at Harvard is as rare as a morning shuttle at Johnston Gate.

But there are still problems with the shuttle bus service, as evidenced last night by a group of (I believe representative) Quad students who itemized their legitimate concerns about the Shuttle Bus and Evening Shuttle Van Services.

Former Director of Transportation Services Jeffrey Smith asked for input last night on making the shuttle services better, and council President Lamelle D. Rawlins '99 will be spearheading a committee of students to discuss the topic this fall. Follow these suggestions and you will not need any more forums:

First, reform the Evening Shuttle Van Service (formerly known as the more sordid Escort Service). Monitor the courtesy of often impatient and rude operators. Call students back when you say you will call them back. Add more vans to the three currently running from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. so that students will not have to wait more than 15 minutes for a van to pick them up. And, most importantly, either shift operating hours to 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to accommodate those studying or playing down by the River, or extent the service from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and find the money from an administration who is convinced of its importance.

Second, fix the gaps in the shuttle schedule. Here is what to change, all referring to vans leaving from Currier House: 1) Double up on vans at peak times such as 9:50 and 9:55 a.m. 2) Run two buses on weekend mornings and afternoons so that the wait is less than 40 minutes. 3) Fill the gap between 2:10 and 4:20 p.m. on weekend afternoons. 4) Run a shuttle between 12:40 and 12:55 p.m. 5) Fix the break in service between 9:55 and 10:25 p.m. from the Square to the Quad. 6) Run shuttles from Johnston Gate to the Quad before 4 p.m.

Most important, make sure students have some way of getting from the River to the Quad or vice versa at all hours of the night. Smith said he did not think that taking the Evening Shuttle Van Service was a matter of security but convenience. For some, particularly burly, fearless males, it may be so. But for female Quadlings who want to get home at 2 a.m., it is certainly a matter of security, as some women vocally attested at the forum last night. After waiting too long for the van to come, they either find a friend to walk them home or spend the $4 on a taxi. Transportation Services Manager of Operations Carl Tempesta said last night of 24-hour service, "We all know that this is something the entire Harvard community would like to see." So do something about it.

The Transportation Services officials last night seemed amazed by the depth of feeling Quadlings expressed about the shuttles. I wasn't. All it takes is riding the shuttles and vans for a few days to see the schedules' shortcomings. The total passenger transportation budget is about $900,000, according to Smith, with about $670,000 going toward the Evening Van and regular Shuttle Bus services. This money comes from each of the schools through the central administration. At one point at last night's forum, students were so interested in accountability that they asked whom they should contact in the central administration. When Smith gave a general answer, one student cried, "We want names!" Such is the ferocity of emotion sparked by the daily experience of riding the shuttle.

Of course, we do appreciate the good things about the shuttle bus system, such as the cheerful drivers, the convenience it does provide, and its existing at all. Before 1974, after all, 'Cliffies had to walk.

With the suggestions from last night's forum, I hope that Transportation Services will make the shuttle system one that will please most students. Once the schedule is changed and the escort system beefed up, there will only be one more thing to do: Stop Harvard students from pushing their way onto the shuttle buses and trampling down anything in their paths. But that would be a truly Herculean task.

Sarah J. Schaffer's column appears on alternate Fridays.