Members of the campus community came out against proposed changes to campus-area bus service, saying they were concerned the modifications could be a disservice to students and could introduce safety concerns for some residents.
At a Tuesday night forum, University of Wisconsin students provided Madison Metro representatives with feedback on the plan, which would effectively alter Saferide routes 81 and 82, which currently service much of the Lakeshore and Langdon Street neighborhood.
Under the proposed changes, route 80 buses would become the only transportation for Lakeshore residents after 9 p.m. Buses would also only operate every 40 minutes, a change from the current 15-minute cycles for route 81 buses.
Colin Conn, a scheduler for Madison Metro, said the changes were initiated partly because drivers voiced grievances about currently only receiving about an eight to nine-minute break for every hour of driving.
Madison Metro also began considering redrawing the routes in an attempt to serve a greater volume of students in response to shifting trends in areas of residence, Dar Ward, a solutions manager with UW Transportation Services, said.
Director of Housing Paul Evans said a 40-minute wait for students would be unacceptable and raised concerns about convenience and safety for individuals that rely on Saferide services.
He also said he was concerned about the university’s current $60 million investment in the construction of a new Lakeshore dormitory and dining facility near Bradley Hall, an area which would be affected by the proposed changes in service.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said the changes to Langdon and Observatory Drive would limit students “to the 80 or nothing.”
He also urged Metro representatives to consider alternatives that did not eliminate the community element of students having safe and reliable transportation.
Hope Tyson, a UW junior, said Saferide services were particularly vital in serving freshmen who are not yet well versed in navigating the campus and provide a valuable resource to allow students to leave social situations that may be uncomfortable or unsafe.
“It’s important to serve freshmen unfamiliar with the campus, and, dare I say it, the alcohol culture of the city,” Tyson said.
UWPD Capt. Steve Rogers said changes to Saferide routes would not service younger students living on campus.
He also said changing the frequency of busing could encourage Lakeshore residents to traverse the dimly lit path late at night.
“With this plan, you’re losing the younger students,” he said. “The services are not going to be used because students won’t wait 40 minutes for a bus.”
Students in attendance at the event said groups on campus should have been invited to engage in the proposed changes earlier on the process, instead of confining discussions between Madison Metro and the Associated Students of Madison Bus Pass Committee.
Evans added nearly 2,200 students would be affected by the changes in late-night service.
In response to largely negative feedback on the plan, Conn said officials would likely have to reschedule a public meeting on the plan in order to consider different alternatives to the redrawing efforts.
He added based on the comments received, the plan could end up taking up to another year to evolve in order to best accommodate the campus.
