The Davis Square shuttle, or "Joey," as it has been nicknamed, has had its share of happy and unhappy passengers. Over the last few weeks, however, complaints about the long waits, circuitous route, and unreliability of the shuttle have increased.
Tufts Community Union (TCU) senators are aware of the problems, and are working to improve the shuttle service. Sophomore Pritesh Ghandi, whose resignation from the Senate will go into effect tomorrow, said he has attempted to work with the administration to devise a new plan. He and several senators have been in contact with the purchasing and contracting department and the Tufts University Police Department since mid-January.
The Senate has made five demands of Joseph's Transportation, the company that operates the shuttle. Senators want a new stop between Wren and Carmichael Halls, a second bus during peak hours, attention given to safety concerns (students have expressed worry that drivers sometimes talk on cell phones while driving), a long term contract with the addition of Tufts' logo and emblems to the vehicles, and the commencement of shuttle service on the first day of school rather than a few days into the semester.
Many students walk to Davis Square due to problems that sometimes arise when relying on the shuttle. Junior Jenny Rheingrover only rides about once a month now, "because the service is so unreliable. You never know how long you have to wait."
Freshman Clara Valenstein was on the shuttle once when it broke down due to a passenger overload. "It's dangerous to have that many people on one bus," she said. She suggested that two buses make the loop to and from Davis Square, instead of only one during peak hours, and that a regular schedule be posted and adhered to so that students know what time the bus will leave from each stop. The shuttle is currently on a schedule, but because of traffic and other hindrances, it often strays from set times.
Freshman Kate Rosenbaum experienced travel difficulties as a result of shuttle delays. "I missed my train home last weekend because I waited 25 minutes at the Campus Center with my luggage," she said.
Ghandi said that he is confident that shuttle service will be improved. "There is nothing more the Senate can do, but the student body should rest assured that the problems will be fixed," he said.
The shuttle used to travel a much shorter route through residential streets, but it was changed when Somerville residents complained of the nighttime noise.
