Having classes on more than one campus can be both a blessing and a curse. It gives students the opportunity to experience everything ASU has to offer, and it’s a nice change of scenery. However, commuting to class can be a hassle when one has to travel from one campus to another. Luckily, ASU provides students with a free intercampus shuttle service that helps them get to class on time.
The shuttles run every 30 to 60 minutes between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Ariyanna Norman, a journalism junior, takes the intercampus shuttle from the Downtown campus to the Tempe campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“I feel that the shuttle service is very convenient because it's free and it's quicker than taking the light rail,” Norman said.
However, the shuttles aren’t always comfortable. During some of the busier class blocks, the shuttles become overcrowded and students are forced to stand in the aisles, sit on the floor or take the next available shuttle.
“I love the convenience of the shuttle, I just wish they allocated the buses better and doubled up on routes they really need two (shuttles) for,” said Elizabeth Witt, a journalism sophomore who also rides the shuttle between the Tempe and Downtown campuses.
Witt once had to sit on the floor of the campus shuttle. Norman has also had to stand on the shuttle on various occasions when all of the seats were taken. Is this really safe?
While the intercampus shuttle is a great service provided by ASU, there are still some flaws in the system. I also use the shuttle service twice a week and have stood multiple times this semester.
Standing on the shuttle can be extremely uncomfortable, especially when the bus makes sudden turns or stops. Some students decide to take the light rail because the shuttle is too crowded, or because they don’t want to be late for their next class.
Not only do the shuttles become overcrowded quickly, they are also occasionally late.
Fortunately, it is very easy to track the campus shuttle’s arrival time online so you can plan accordingly. However, getting to the West or Polytechnic campuses from Downtown is not just a light rail ride away. If a shuttle is running late, stuck in traffic or experiencing some technical issues, you may be missing your class entirely.
“It's frustrating when the shuttles are very late or never come, but overall I am satisfied with the campus shuttle service,” Norman said.
There’s no doubt the intercampus shuttle is a great service for students who have classes on different campuses, but with any service, there is always room for improvement.
Reach the columnist at agales@asu.edu
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