Administration reevaluates weekend busing
The Link Task Force is evaluating the current late night weekend busing hours as student misconduct increases. The bus monitors hope to mitigate the problem.
As students misconduct increases on the Link, administration wants to limit weekend late-night bus hours. Common behavior-issues include chaos in the bus line with students not forming lines, loudness, explicit language, disrespect to drivers and vomiting. Drivers, students and administrators alike are frustrated and disappointed with this behavior. Limiting bus hours has emerged as a potential solution.
Outcry from students indicates changing bus times isn’t helpful but disrespectful behavior on the bus causes students and drivers to feel unsafe, uncomfortable or angry. SJU Dean of Students Mike Connolly noted how this disrespectful behavior impacts students and others.
“Riding the Link should be a comfortable and safe riding experience for all,” Connolly said via email.
Connolly also urged students to rethink their view of the Link. It is very distinguishable from your typical Metro bus with its schoolbus design and murals, and students should consider it as such.
“Riding the Link bus should be no different than riding other transportation. Responsible personal behavior and respect for all others riding is a must,” he said.
Out of concern for impending schedule changes to the bus, the SJU Senate established a Link Bus task force. Evan Mattson, SJU senate vice president, formed the task force.
“[The Senate] felt it was our duty to help out the bus drivers to keep the buses going until 2:15 a.m., because it is an important part of our community,” Mattson said.
The task force has several agenda items to address issues on the Link. Their first objective is to survey Link drivers to find out how best to support them. Possible questions on the survey include the following: “how do you feel about singing on the Link?”, “how can the student Senate support you?” and “what are your expectations for behavior on the Link?”
Responses from these surveys will help the task force form a proposal for bus drivers to make their drives more enjoyable and respectful. The task force would also share driver expectations with the CSB+SJU community. In addition to limiting bus hours, there are several solutions to combat misbehavior. One option, recently implemented, is hiring student workers for bus security. The student employment position, officially titled “Transportation Assistant,” is looking for applicants. Duties for this position include handling issues with passengers, modeling appropriate behavior and generally keeping watch.
Another possible solution involves enlisting the help of Johnnie RAs to fulfill the role of bus moderator. The task force plans on meeting with the SJU Residential Life Director to discuss the possibility of reinstating this policy. Last year, RAs were required to work weekend transportation shifts. That practice went away with the end of the school year last year, and the burden has fallen primarily back on the drivers.
Jacob Lipke, SJU senior and an RA, has helped to ease the burden. He has worked two shifts this year as the sole transportation assistant. During his rides, between 8:45 p.m. and 2:15 a.m., Lipke has had a few unpleasant experiences, with Johnnies starting fights, students being unable to walk due to intoxication and a student vomiting on the bus. Regardless of unsightly behavior on the Link, many students still respect bus expectations.
“Some highlights from my time on the bus are feeling like I’m doing my part to keep the bus running, talking to friends that I don’t see as often as I would like to, meeting new people and singing the national anthem and ‘Country Roads’ on the last couple buses home,” Lipke said.
In addition to recruitment of extra helpers, the task force hopes to shine a light on the hard work of drivers and express their appreciation and gratitude for this difficult role. Weekends are meant to be a opportunity to unwind and spend time with friends, and the Link plays a vital role in allowing this to happen safely.
“We must respect the bus drivers or else we will lose the late night Link rides,” Mattson said. “Hold each other accountable, and know that the buses will be taken away if the behavior doesn’t change. Losing the Link is closer to a reality than a question.”