As enrollment continues to grow and the master plan for the university includes a new academic building on Wrightsboro Road, the Dean of Students is seeking input from students regarding a proposed shuttle service. The service would run continuously during class times, making stops at the Christenberry Field House, University Village, Allgood Hall, and University Hall. The shuttle service would not only benefit students who may not have vehicles but would help alleviate parking issues on the main campus. Questions that are being addressed include,
- Would students use a shuttle service if one were provided?
- Would students be amenable to a fee to cover shuttle service?
- Would a pay-per-ride encourage users of the service?
Please use the comment area below to respond to these questions.
Popularity: 31% [?]
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:15 am
I think that having a shuttle service would be a big benefit to students because students in University Village will have a chance to participate in events held at night. I think that the cost of the service should be included in student fees and not on a pay-per-ride service - what happens when a student does not have money; would there be a fee for riding to and from the Christenberry Field House; or would you pay one price and ride all day? Just like there is a three dollar fee for riding the public bus I think another three dollars should be added to ride the shuttle unlimited times during the semester.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
I think that a shuttle service would be a wonderful change from having to use the regular Augusta Public Transit service. The shuttle would allow students to be able to ride back and forth from Campus to University Villiage. Plus the cost of putting a shuttle service into action would be low. I also think that ASU needs a shuttle service to not just help current students, but to also benfiet the future students that are going to attending ASU.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
I agree with tjacks11 by saying that the shuttle bus is a great idea but it should not be a pay-pre-ride type of deal. A small fee ( around $5 I assume) should be added on to every ASU students tuition fees. I am pretty sure that students would use the shuttle, especially with a largely growing population at ASU and gas prices these days. This would be a great addition to ASU and a great convienence to all.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
I believe a shuttle would be a GREAT addition to what ASU provides for its students. I have a way of transportation, but I think if I knew I could make it to class on time (because with the bus there is no guarentee) and make it back to UV in time to get to work on time….I would certainly take the shuttle. Right now there is no guarentee, and I find mysefl still in a problem because of the congested parking LOTS…..but I think this would be great for the ASU students……
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
I believe that a shuttle service is a terrific idea, and it is a service that I would certainly use. However, I’m not sure if I agree with the idea of a pay-per-ride type of service, maybe a decent one time fee would be more appropriate. Basically, this is a great idea, and it would certainly help with the parking situation. Having a shuttle that could transit students from the parking lots on the fringe of the campus (where parking is usually available) to, say, the JSAC parking lot, would be a big help. Essentially, I’m in favor so long as there is just a one-time, or maybe monthly, fee.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 am
I wouldn’t use the shuttle service because I don’t need it. However, I wouldn’t appreciate paying for another service I don’t use. I know I am required certain other fees that I probably don’t use the services provided but this shuttle service seems to be more for the students at University Village. Why don’t you tack on the fee to their cost of living?
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
I think that a shuttle service would be wonderful. It could help students who don’t have transportation and help them to get to and from class. I know that I personally would love a shuttle service. Also, I think the fee should be included in the student fees and not on a pay per ride service, because as on person said already, what if you don’t have any money on that particular day?
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 am
I think a shuttle service is a great idea. Not only will students who have early classes have to get there an hour early, but they will be able to get from Christenberry and back to the school, without worrying about being late to school.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
Here are the resons that I believe that a shuttle service will be a good addition to ASU.
Students would certainly use a shuttle servide if one were provided, however key points would need to be addressed such as 1. how long does it take a student to get from the main campus to the academic facility, or to and from University Village. Are the times that the transit arrives and depart coordinated with the times that classes start and end? etc. to be truly effective and useful the shuttle should be tailored to the specific needs of the ASU student body.
The cost for this service should be covered by a one time fee that is added to a students tuition fees, similar to technology and activity fees. I don’t see students contesting to such a charge. A pay-by ride charge would be a deterrent I believe.
A shuttle would also be a safety benefit as students will be riding with other students instead of general city transit patrons. This I believe would also be a point that will increase and encourage the use of the service. The transit will increase the positive appeal of the school as a whole. Not only is one increasing the services provided by ASU to its students, but the constant site of a ASU transit running back in forth up and down Wrightsboro Rd. will be a continual reminder of Augusta States presence in the community.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
This will be a wonderful idea and will benefit the students! It’s hard sometimes if you have to wait a whole hour just to get home and with gas prices up and down it will be the cherry on top!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:58 am
I think a shuttle would be an excellent idea for this campus. Where I attended undergrad there was service between the main campus and adjunct locations that ran around every 20 minutes and fortunately we did not have to pay for the service. However, I do feel that resources may be a bit limited here, hence the need for fees. If that is the case then the fee should be tacked onto the tuition at the begining of the year or for those that do not plan on using it regularly, a pay as you go option should be available. Overall I think this would be a nice service to have.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
I think that this would be a wonderful idea and should be put into play ASAP. I am new to this campus and I see things that could be improved. One is parking. I am glad I don’t own a car because I wolud not be able to park.Also I have a quesion to ask Carmel. What if one day your car broke down and you could not find a ride to the Fieldhouse (if you had a class there)? What would you ask yourself then? Also when basketball season starts maybe the shuttle could carry students to games.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
I think the shuttle service is a great idea; however, I do not want to be charged a fee added to my tuition for a service I will never use.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
I think Augusta state should have bought the VA uptown property when it was offered to them. That would be a better extension of the campus. I think if you want ASU to grow you need to think outside the box. So, I guess it’s an o.k. idea to shuttle but, I have a feeling it won’t be so successful.
I think you need to put effort into making the financial aid office more sufficient. It shouldn’t take on average 20-30 phone calls on a normal working day to make contact with those people. I have had too many things go wrong up there over the years I have been a student. But, your money where your mouth is and put cash into making financial aid more sufficient. If you polled the students about the financial aid you would be surprised of the amount of dissatisfied students. There are even facebook anti asu financial aid groups!
thanks for hearing the students!
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
I agree with Carmel. This would really only benefit those living in the Village. I would not use it even if I had to go there for class because all the different stops would be very time consuming. Also I do not agree at all wiht the fact that all students have a mandatory fee for something they do not use. Maybe those that are going to use it could buy a per-ride or unlimited per-semester ticket. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE EVERYONE A FEE FOR SOMETHING THAT ONLY BENEFITS SOME!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I definetly a shuttle would be beneficial to any student that doesnt have a vehicle. I dont think that everyone should have to pay a fee for it. In my opinion it would be best to purchase some type of card at the beginning of the semester that gives students that oppurtunity to ride if they choose.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Yes, a shuttle bus is great idea for students at ASU. The campus is split up it two different section: The Main Campus(Walton Way)and Christenberry(Wrightboro Rd). It is preposterous that students without cars have to catch two different buses, that run 30 mins apart to get to another part of the campus.The shuttle bus would give the students extra time to get a numerous of other task down. Instead ,of leaving campus an hour early to get to your next class at Christneberry one time. Yes, there should be a fee per semester. Even though many students on campus have cars, CARS are machines and you never know when they may malfunction.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Yes, I think that a shuttle bus would be extremely beneficial to students at ASU. Since parking is horrendous, having a shuttle bus would help with all the parking problems. Therefore decreasing the amount of parking tickets. A shuttle bus fee should be included in tuition. With the price of gas these days, having a shuttle bus would help the pockets of many of the students.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
A shuttle bus is a great idea for Augusta State University especially considering the fact that the campus is split into various locations. I am aware that students are allowed to ride the city bus once their transportation fee is paid however I find it inconvenient as most classes end at forty five to fifty minutes past the hour and the bus arrives at the forty five. Consequently most students end up staying on campus an extra hour after their class ends. Also students who live in University Village arrive almost an hour early to their first class if it is on the hour. The fee to pay the shuttle service should not inconvenience most students as Augusta State’s tuition is relatively low and more than 90% of students receive some form of financial aid. If it does become an issue then I would suggest making the transportation fee optional and putting a sticker, much like the validation sticker, on the students’ Jagcards. Students who opt not to pay the transportation fee could use the pay per ride service.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
This proposal seems to benefit a small number of students at ASU at this time. The shuttle would mainly service University Village students who do not have their own vehicles.Students at University Village have access to public transportation that takes them to the campus.Students are also in walking distance of Christenberry. I do not believe that I should pay additional fees for a service I will not be using. This fee for this service should be tacked onto the student houseing fees. Even though the ASU tuition is “relatively low”, that should not mean that all students should be forced to pay for a service that is used by a minority of students. I have to spend money on a parking pass for me to park in the parking lot. This fee is only charged to those who use the service of the parking lots. I should not have to pay for other students to be transported from UV to campus.
When the campus does expand and new buildings are built on Wrightsboro, a shuttle might be more beneficial. This service can be a one time fee service for those who choose to use the shuttle service. Also, a pay-as-you-ride fee can be charged for those who rarely have to use the shuttle.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I think a shuttle service would be great. Especially for people that had classes here on the main campus and also have classes over on Wrightsboro Road. I agree with other people the fee for the shuttle service should be included in our fees we pay each semester just like everything else is.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I believe this is a good idea for ASU. I have my own transportation, but hate the idea that I have to move my car around three times a day because I had to go to the other campus in the middle of the day. I also think it should be incorporated in the student tuition. The pay per ride would be an inconvience because college students always seem to be broke, so the cost would already be paid for when the shuttle would be needed if the student fees cover it.
Another question would be, if this is incorporated would we still pay the $3.00 fee for the Augusta transit? I like the idea and look forward to see it happening!
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
This is for those immature stupid idiots who do not see the vaule of a shuttle service. DO NOT THINK OF ONLY YOURSELFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THINK ABOUT OTHERS WHO MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS YOU TO OWN A CAR AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOU @$$.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you only think of yourself then that is all you will see and thus you will not be able to enjoy life because all you would smell,taste,see,hear,and feel is your stupid idea that the world should revolve around you. So wake up and learn how to live like humans and not maggots who feast upon themselves.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This service is needed for ASU and for those who think it is not should just keep their heads up their @$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 pm
A pay-per-ride fee would be appropriate. It is not fair for students who drive to absorb the fee for those students who do not drive to and from campus. Those individuals with cars do not expect non-drivers to absorb the parking permit fees for students who drive. There is a large population of transient students who would end up sinking a vast amount of money into a program that would support a small student population. Perhaps a paid pass could be offered to students requesting the use of the shuttle which could be added to their tuition and fees. It would grant them passage for a certain number of trips…like the meal plan currently offered on campus. It would be unrelaistic for those students having access to a kitchen to supply meals to those who do not have a kitchen. See the parallel? Just because I have a car doesn’t mean I have the extra money to help everyone else…my tuition & fees are just as costly. I need my own little Robin Hood to get me through!
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
A shuttle is a great idea, but the individual should be responsible for the fee associated with each use. College is a learning tool–make due with what you absolutely need so you can graduate and move onto greener pastures.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I think that a shuttle is a really stupid idea. This has been debated a vast amount of times by SGA and it always comes down to the fact that it would cost way to much money to put a shuttle into service. Think about the cost of gas, paying the driver, regular maintence,the actual purchase of the shuttle(take into account there is probably going to be more than one), and the big cost of fixing the shuttle should it ever break down ,which knowing this school it will happen sooner or later. So taking all that into account you would have to charge students a hefty fee for this shuttle and with the budget cuts going on all over the state , I really think it would be ill advised to put this shuttle into service. Also has anyone actually riden the bus, I did for a year when I lived at UV and I saw maybe ten to fifteen people max use the bus and that was during the peak hours of classes.so tell me is it really practical during times like these to shell out big bucks for something that only a small amount of students are going to use?
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Iane,
Debate the idea presented and avoid attacking the person. I feel terrible selecting you personally, but you manners and english skills need extensive work. As a employeer, it would be appalling to receive a response such as yours and could lead to the termination of your employment. Maturity is attained when you can objectively respond to comments or views you find abrasive. Peace.
November 4th, 2008 at 4:40 am
I think the shuttle service will be a great idea for those who USE it. But, I agree with several others why should those who will never use the service be forced to pay for another service that we don’t use. These charges should be charged to those who use the service in a one-time per semester fee covered by their financial aid, grants, or etc.
Augusta State does need to expand but as you look at expanding, I agree you must think outside the box and not force the school into another situation where within a few years the school is boxed in again. Thus, it will not look presentable to future students to need to travel to three or more locations for their education.
November 4th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I think that the ASU shuttle is a great idea, since the reason I usually don’t take the bus is that the times and route doesn’t usually work with my schedule. I think that the service should be pay-per-ride so that people who ride the bus less frequently than others are getting their money’s worth, and that students who don’t need the bus aren’t paying for a service they don’t use.
November 4th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Shuttle? Oh yeah! Haha no realistically, I think a shuttle would be fan-freaking-tastic! BUT, we need to drop our connection w/Augusta Public Transport. I don’t know if we currently are assessed a small fee to have the privilege of riding APT around town, but I feel like VERY few students do this, and it would be a better service if that was an OPTION you could purchase on your own. But a shuttle btwn Wrightsboro and Walton would be great! We’re getting to be like the big universities!
November 4th, 2008 at 7:43 am
To those people who say it is unfair for all students to pay a fee and yet a certain amount of people would use that service. What about those fees such as the Athleic fee? This money is used to support all team sports on campus but the teams are not as big as compared to other teams in the University System of GA. Why don’t these people complain about that? This service will be a great benefit. Also we need to do this now because in the future there are plans to build campuse buildings along Wrightsboro Rd. Instead of adding the shuttle fee to the consturction fee lets do it now. Think of the future.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Having a shutle services will not only be beneficial to students living off campus but it will also benefit students residing at the University Village (on-campus housing). I strongly believe that a mandatory fee (included in tuition) should be included for all students rather than a pay-per-ride service.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
A shuttle will definitely be the perfect idea because i know i wouldnt have to wake up an hour early in order to catch the bus, and i wouldnt have to go and wait in school for forty five minutes before class. Also, i know i will not have to walk to class fifteen minutes late because i missed the bus and had to wait an hour for the next one. A shuttle will be of soo much help and i dont care how high tuition will be raised as long as there is convenience in going to and from school. PLEASE GIVE US A SHUTTLE.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I think it is a good idea and that it will be very beneficial for those who reside in University Village and also to the select few of others who don’t have a car. This University is largely made up of people who live in the community and drive in every day. Those who the shuttle will not benefit should not have to pay for it in the fees. With all being said, I suggest selling a shuttle pass that is valid all semester long to those who will be using the service. The students who drive have to pay for a parking permit, so the ones who use the shuttle should have to buy a shuttle pass. It definitely should NOT be included in our fees automatically!
November 4th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Okay, a shuttle would be a good idea for some, but where is the money for it going to come from? We’ve already got fees for things that half of us don’t even use. Personally, I wouldn’t use it, so I really don’t want to have to pay for it.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Again this fee should be applied to all students because it would not only cover the ride but also the maintaince of the shuttle bus. Also open your eyes and look at people everyday trying to find a parking space and if you are one of those people how mad do you get each morning because you have to park a block away from your classroom. WITH this service the students living at UV and drive will have the option to drive or take the shuttle. This will help ease the anger and complaints that I hear everyday from people who have a hard time finding a parking spot because with less people driving from UV you can have better access to parking spots. Also as noted above the campus is going to expand with buildings off of Wrightboros Rd. and near Christianberry Field House. For those who drive to the main campus and then have to go to CFH for a class you can leave your car in that parking space and not lose it to someone else like the situation is like now. So we shouldn’t debate about a rise in the Transporation Fee. People need to see that their money would be put to use for them and be a great addition to ASU.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
TO JOE,
That is a “WHAT IF” situation and if you wanted you could “WHAT IF” anything to death. WHAT IF the shuttle broke down and then you had to walk to class? I will entertain you and fill in the blanks of your “WHAT IF” situation. IF my car did brake down it wouldn’t matter because my husband could take me or I could take his car. WHAT IF he had to work? Well that’s not a problem because he works mids, 3rd shift, or at night depending on who you are and the term you use. WHAT IF his car broke down too? Well that’s just silly but I biked for almost the whole summer to ASU. WHAT IF my bike has a flat? Well my husband has a bike. WHAT IF his bike had a flat? Well then I would call my best friend because I know I can always count on her. Would you really like to ask me another “WHAT IF” cause I can play this silly game. But I’ll go ahead and put an end to it by saying that I don’t need to take any more classes at CFH and I don’t live at University Village. All I’m saying is that there are already other fees tacked on to tuition that students may or may not use, why tack on another that would only benefit the students who need it? I don’t think that is fair.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Why not charge a single fee for transportation which includes parking, the shuttle and the Augusta transit - then those that have cars can park - and also use the shuttle to get to the fieldhouse and new building there. Those that don’t have cars get the shuttle.
The parking fees at ASU are really low when you look at other schools in Georgia - so perhaps you could offer a park and ride type scheme from the fieldhouse to the main campus?
November 5th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I think that for those that live in University village and those that do not have vehicles the service would be a good idea, but as far as charging everyone for it, I do not think that is fair. I live off campu and I drive my own vehicle. I pay for parking. I do not feel I should have to pay a fee that is included in my tuition for a service I will never use. I think that maybe you should offer shuttle cards or tokens that people could purchase on a semester basis that would allow them to ride the shuttle, and have a way for people to pay a small fee to ride occasionally. I do not think it should be mandatory for everyone though. That is not fair. I am already having enough trouble coming up with tuition as it is.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:53 am
The Shuttle is a great idea and not only is it beneficial for scheduling and carpooling conflicts its cost per semester is 100x lower then the cost a student would have in paying gas for their own vehicles or paying friends for rides. I would love to see this actually go all the way through this year.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:58 am
A shuttle service that could provide timely and regular transportation services would be very convenient for students moving from one campus to another. Rather than charging everyone for the shuttle service, I think it should be an optional payment plan that could involve one basic payment per semester or it could involve a swipe of the Jag card. It is unfortunate that ASU has decided to expand their new campus on Wrightsboro rather than downtown Augusta. Wrightsboro does not have sidewalks on both sides of the road, biking it is a pain, the area is unattractive, and it is very secluded. If ASU were to expand downtown on one of the many open spaces available then it could team up with MCG and the area could be a large college community. Restaurants, businesses, property values would all go up and the area is much easier to commute and much more aesthetically pleasing. Students could walk down to the river to study or walk down to a local coffee shop after class. Downtown Augusta could be transformed into a college city equivalent to Athens. It is just what downtown needs to be resurrected from when it died with the coming of the Augusta Mall. A more attractive campus will attract more students and commuting would be much easier than a congested Wrightsboro road. Anyway, I think the bus system would be an excellent idea but a relocation of the actual campus with a dependable transit system would be the most beneficial. Downtown right now is just one street where everything happens and thats Broad of course. What if ASU opened up dorms and classrooms on Reynolds and Telfair. Businesses, parks, and access to the river would follow and there would be so much more to do for families and college kids.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I do not think we need a shuttle, nor do I believe that if one was available then a fee would be added to our present laundry list of fees. I don’t support the athletic fee, the JSAC fee or a shuttle bus fee. These are items that are nice to have, but do not benefit the student population as a whole. If you use any of these, they you should pay for them yourself.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I think that the shuttle service is a good idea, however, I do not want to be charged a fee tacked onto my tuition. There are already several things that I’m paying for that I don’t use and I wouldn’t use the shuttle service either.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I think the idea of a shuttle is a good one on the whole.
I however, would not want to pay for a service I won’t be using. I have completed all of my wellness requirements and the gym at ASU is good enough for me, so I don’t need to go to Christenberry. I don’t live in University Village or College Station, either. I have my own vehicle and it is a necessity for me. I already have to pay for parking; I don’t want to pay for a shuttle service. The idea of paying for both services seems a little ridiculous.
Traffic and parking on campus are an issue and I hope that a shuttle would help with this in some way. I’m concerned that with the plans to make multiple stops on campus it could cause a delay in the shuttle service and/or contribute to the traffic at peak hours. It’s possible that the many students with cars who travel between Christenberry and the main campus could actually make the parking situation worse by choosing to take the shuttle instead of giving up their parking space.
I would like to offer the following suggestions for consideration:
1) If it is to be included in fees, only add it to the housing cost of University Village students or allow students to sign up for the service by semester if they plan on using that mode of transportation.
2) If it is mainly for the benefit of University Village and College Station students, have some regulation requiring those with cars to use the shuttle instead of driving to campus. This could be setup following UGA’s example of not allowing freshman to have a car on campus and as such might not affect upperclassmen. There could be exceptions for those with jobs that require them to leave immediately after class. There are many ways this could be done to maximize the benefit to all students. If this was done, I might not mind paying a fee for a service I wouldn’t use, if it would provide some benefit.
3) Rather than making multiple stops on campus, choose one central drop off location on campus or make the stops on the streets like Augusta Public Transit.
4) I hope that ASU would hire a consultant such as a traffic engineer before they jump into this project. With all the ongoing construction on campus, the parking problem, and the question about what is going to be done with the pool, it would be a shame to waste money on an inefficient system.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I agree with what Tom B’s solution number 2. I dont live in the village so I would not benefit from a shuttle and in today’s economy, I simply do not want to pay for what I don’t need. We pay one fee for bus transport and one for parking decals. To add another would be senseless. I think you all should do it like meal plans: if you want it, pay for it. The idea in general is great but it does not benefit all. Those that would mainly benefit are Village and Station residents and lowerclassmen that live off campus but still have activity courses they have to take. I also think if we do add an OPTIONAL shuttle, Augusta Transportation should not be done away with. If my car was to break down, I still have the option to catch the bus. The shuttle would not help me on Washington Rd. As for the pay-per-ride thing, I think that is pretty fair. Make that an option for those that may occasionally need it and let those that will need it all the time have a one-time fee that they can add to their jagcard and swipe it when they catch the bus.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
KC reminded me of another point that a few others have mentioned. I wouldn’t want to lose my Augusta Public Transit pass because of this shuttle. There have been times I’ve had to loan my truck to my mom or leave it at a repair shop and was able to catch the city bus to get to school.
While taking the city bus has its own problems, it’s still a fall back for anyone who might have a vehicle in need of repair and lives near the bus line. This shuttle should not be a replacement as its loop is very small.
The other benefit of APT being that if you just didn’t feel like wasting gas one day, you could ride the bus. I’ve done this many times when I just wanted to go shopping or hang out downtown.
The city busline is not entirely reliable. The schedules change with relatively short notice (maybe a month or so on average), changing anywhere from every half hour to every hour and fifteen minutes, along with every day difficulties such as traffic or a late bus. So it’s not a good solution for students trying to schedule their classes and/or work unless they plan to do solid blocks(late morning classes ending early in the afternoon if they have to transfer at the terminal).
That being said, it’s comforting knowing that you have the APT to fall back on for a day or two, even if you have to miss a class or two.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Georgia Southern faced a similar problem several years ago. They initiated a campus transportation system that was extremely successful. As additional buildings were utilized on campus, the shuttle route was revised to accomodate additional stops. Again, I can’t complain of not having a guaranteed parking space when I’m only paying $20 for the parking decal as opposed to $120 at Georgia Southern with no guaranteed space. I think that a shuttle system would help immensely with the parking problem. As more and more students come to ASU, it’s only going to get worse. I would suggest implementing the shuttle system now so kinks can be worked out as more students arrive. I would also suggest that if the shuttle route includes Christenberry field hall, encourage students to park there and pick of the shuttle versus driving all the way to campus and fighting for a parking space. I hate to say it, but Georgia Southern simply raised the decal prices to a ridiculous rate, I think, to get more students to use the transit system. If you parked at the RAC or at the stadium to use the shuttle, parking was free.
Again, I would strongly recommend that the shuttle system be put in place sooner rather than later as student population is only going to increase. As ASU still tends to be more of commuter campus, there needs to be an incentive to park places other than on campus and use the shuttle system.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I would also add that every student was charged a transportation fee as part of their student fees. It’s the same concept as being charged athletic fees, activity fees, etc. even it you never use the services provided by those departments. Students are fooling themselves if they feel they should have a guaranteed parking space for $20. For all those that want to park on campus, ASU needs to be like every other university in this state and charge $100+ for a parking decal. Students here really don’t get how well they are getting it. And as for all those other fees that students are charged and don’t take advantage of, that’s their problem. Again, try forking out $500-$600 in fees as opposed to $200 at ASU. STOP COMPLAINING!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Considering the SGA Senate has continuously striven to represent student concerns regarding ASU and considering the Dean of Students has continuously ignored these student body representatives, it’s rather amusing that the Dean “of Students” would be asking for input from students. Wonder what the real motives behind this are.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:41 am
A shuttle service certainly would eliminate some of the awful parking issues. Riding the shuttle from another ASU area may take less time than the wait in main campus parking lots for a space. People sitting in the lanes waiting on a class to let out so they can stalk students coming out of the buildings to take their space does nothing but clog up traffic. I would certainly use the service!
Now, as for payment, I would suggest not charging everyone a fee across the board. I also don’t like the idea of a pay per use. Perhaps a student who knows they will use the service can pay ahead when registering for each semester’s classes and get a special idenifier attached to their student ID card. Another idea is to use a system set up like the Jaguar Card swipe system that identifies the user as one who has paid up front to use the service. This will also help track which students are using the system after paying for it.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
As a student that commutes from Evans, I won’t be able to enjoy the benefit of this service. I would prefer *not* to have another fee added onto the continually growing list of semesterly fees for services that I don’t or can’t even use.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Yes, i think that a shuttle service would be a great idea. Once that building is built on wrightsboro road, the shuttle service would be an absolute necessity. Im not sure how to go about the fees though. Lets keep in mind that ASU is a commuter campus and everyone will not use the shuttle service as much as those who stay in UV or around that way. Although if i were to have classes on the main campus and on wrightsboro rd i wouldn’t want to drive there when there is a shuttle service available.
I agree with Missie ” I would suggest not charging everyone a fee across the board. I also don’t like the idea of a pay per use. Perhaps a student who knows they will use the service can pay ahead when registering for each semester’s classes and get a special idenifier attached to their student ID card. Another idea is to use a system set up like the Jaguar Card swipe system that identifies the user as one who has paid up front to use the service. This will also help track which students are using the system after paying for it.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I think shuttle service would be a great idea for students without transportation and to alleviate parking problems. In terms of a fee, it should be minimal and not included with fees and tuition. We, students, are paying for parking stickers now and have difficulty finding a space. I don’t feel it would be fair to pay for shuttle service that you do not use.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 am
For those of you who do not know, the cost of a Shuttle service ASU would be LOW. A couple of years ago SGA had a chance to vote on this issue. At that time the price was 45$. Right now ASU has an offer from a Shuttle service company that is down to about 30$. This is an excellent time to act and put this service into use while the price is LOW when compared to all other State Colleges in GA. Also, for those who do not want to give up the Augusta Public Transit system, the APT would still be there for all to use. I think a pay as you ride idea would not work and if this idea was used to support the Shuttle then the Shuttle would fail because students wouldn’t want money taken from their JAGCARDS when they use this money to buy snacks at the vending machines or meals from the foodcourt. By the way if ASU were to try this each ride per day would cost about 3-4$ (this is only for two rides) adding up over the semseter to a big fee for those who use it the most. Also, a plan like the meal plan would not work. This is because the price of the plan for EACH semster would be high in order to cover the cost since only as some people say a small group would use it. This fee is needed for people without reliable transporation. Right now all students at ASU pay a fee for the use of APT. In the past I have not heard any complaints about all students having to pay this fee. Also, the campus leaders want this plan to pass so that it can benfiet you the student. So we as students shouldn’t worry just because the fee is rising slightly. We need to see that this service would help the student body. For example, did you know that the last bus to run by ASU is at 5:45pm. The shuttle would allow students to be on campus longer if they need to be. All students need to spread the cost out and not have others paying a HUGE price if they needed to be on campus longer then others.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
The APT transportation fee is only $3 and yes, it is spread among the students. APT is also more beneficial as it travels around the city, letting those without cars who don’t live on the shuttle route get to and from school. It also allows anyone who wishes to use it to travel around town, which the shuttle doesn’t.
If you want the student body to absorb the cost of a shuttle service the majority probaly won’t use, then why not have the student body absorb some of the cost of my parking permit? It’s the same concept. I don’t expect anyone to pay for a service that they don’t use, so I don’t understand why there are so many advocating that it be included in the tuition of everyone.
The other point being that the APT fee is already in our tuition, while we’re discussing adding the shuttle service. The shuttle service probaly won’t help the entire student body, since we are a commuter campus. Additionally, for students taking late classes, what benefit will there be for them? Parking and traffic aren’t an issue and if they’re taking those late classes they probaly have their own transportation.
Even if it works out to a few dollars for every student, it’s a fee that I don’t feel the need to pay for. Every new fee that gets tacked on to our tuition adds up, with the price of tuition rising every year, I just don’t see the need to add any additional fees to everyone’s tuition.
November 30th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
What about a parking deck on campus? Something that would benefit all students.