The moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived! I’ve been attempting to interview a CATS bus representative for the past several weeks, and I finally got in contact with Bridget Webster. Ms. Webster serves as the CATS transportation operations supervisor. I must admit my sour experiences with the CATS bus caused me to have a negative opinion of anyone associated with CATS. However, Ms. Webster was a very pleasant and open minded person, so my attitude quickly changed. I learned a lot.
Me: Why was the CATS bus schedule changed at the beginning of winter quarter? Why was the Ridges Loop bus taken away?
Bridget Webster: The West Union Loop buses had 1,200 students riding a week, while the Ridges Loop bus only had 200 students riding. We decided to change it so that now students can just call when they’re at a stop, and have the CATS bus pick them up from where they are.
Me: Why wasn’t there some form of campus notification when the CATS bus wasn’t running this quarter because of the weather?
BW: Well if it’s a level 3 we don’t run because there would be no school. However, if it’s a level 2 students can call the number on the bus stop and the answering machine will inform them of what time the bus will start running.
ME: Why was the Riverpark stop taken away?
BW: I have 41 students that work in the office, and I like to ask their opinions about the CATS bus. They all suggested that Riverpark deserved a bus stop, and Fall quarter we introduced the Riverpark stop. But that stop caused a lot of issues. Mill Street had a high demand for riders, and we received numerous complaints from residents in Mill Street about overcrowding. Mill Street Apartments actually has a contract with our service. We were obligated to take the Riverpark stop away in order to satisfy our customers. It was also getting really dangerous for my drivers.
Me: How was it getting dangerous for your drivers?
BW: Students who couldn’t didn’t get a seat would yell obscenities at my drivers or even threaten to harm them. One day I decided to drive the bus to see for myself. It was a nightmare. One student even yelled, “this is f****** ridiculous,” at me when there wasn’t a seat for her. It was really bad. When we made the change everything went a lot smoother. There were no more angry calls and no more threats.
Me: Why weren’t Riverpark residents notified when the stop was taken away?
BW: Looking back on it I feel bad that we didn’t send some kind of a notification. I’m new to this position, and I never considered sending an email or anything like that. The removal of that stop happened very quickly, so there was no time to send out notifications. It was there on Friday and gone on Monday. But I’m glad you suggested e-mailing students. I will definitely look in to that.
Me: What exactly is the rule about standing up on the CATS bus?
BW: The rule changed from last quarter because I made that decision when I took over this position this quarter. I don’t want students to get hurt, and we also can’t afford the liability.
Me: Most students are grateful for this campus service, but do you have any comments for the students who had bad experiences this winter?
BW: I apologize for the inconveniences. Like I said, I’m new to this position so I’m learning a lot. Another thing I would like students to know is that CATS is doing the best we can on a declining budget. We are trying very hard, to the best of our ability.
I suggested that Ms. Webster and her associates read this blog in hopes that they can get a better understanding of what improvements CATS can make. She was very open to visiting the site. I appreciated her cooperation.
Me: Why was the CATS bus schedule changed at the beginning of winter quarter? Why was the Ridges Loop bus taken away?
Bridget Webster: The West Union Loop buses had 1,200 students riding a week, while the Ridges Loop bus only had 200 students riding. We decided to change it so that now students can just call when they’re at a stop, and have the CATS bus pick them up from where they are.
Me: Why wasn’t there some form of campus notification when the CATS bus wasn’t running this quarter because of the weather?
BW: Well if it’s a level 3 we don’t run because there would be no school. However, if it’s a level 2 students can call the number on the bus stop and the answering machine will inform them of what time the bus will start running.
ME: Why was the Riverpark stop taken away?
BW: I have 41 students that work in the office, and I like to ask their opinions about the CATS bus. They all suggested that Riverpark deserved a bus stop, and Fall quarter we introduced the Riverpark stop. But that stop caused a lot of issues. Mill Street had a high demand for riders, and we received numerous complaints from residents in Mill Street about overcrowding. Mill Street Apartments actually has a contract with our service. We were obligated to take the Riverpark stop away in order to satisfy our customers. It was also getting really dangerous for my drivers.
Me: How was it getting dangerous for your drivers?
BW: Students who couldn’t didn’t get a seat would yell obscenities at my drivers or even threaten to harm them. One day I decided to drive the bus to see for myself. It was a nightmare. One student even yelled, “this is f****** ridiculous,” at me when there wasn’t a seat for her. It was really bad. When we made the change everything went a lot smoother. There were no more angry calls and no more threats.
Me: Why weren’t Riverpark residents notified when the stop was taken away?
BW: Looking back on it I feel bad that we didn’t send some kind of a notification. I’m new to this position, and I never considered sending an email or anything like that. The removal of that stop happened very quickly, so there was no time to send out notifications. It was there on Friday and gone on Monday. But I’m glad you suggested e-mailing students. I will definitely look in to that.
Me: What exactly is the rule about standing up on the CATS bus?
BW: The rule changed from last quarter because I made that decision when I took over this position this quarter. I don’t want students to get hurt, and we also can’t afford the liability.
Me: Most students are grateful for this campus service, but do you have any comments for the students who had bad experiences this winter?
BW: I apologize for the inconveniences. Like I said, I’m new to this position so I’m learning a lot. Another thing I would like students to know is that CATS is doing the best we can on a declining budget. We are trying very hard, to the best of our ability.
I suggested that Ms. Webster and her associates read this blog in hopes that they can get a better understanding of what improvements CATS can make. She was very open to visiting the site. I appreciated her cooperation.
Here's a link to an article featured in The Post that gives more fiancial details about the CATS bus:http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=25248&SectionID=17&SubSectionID=35&S=1
I'm glad that Ms. Webster pointed out how students were mistreating the drivers... yes it's annoying to not get a seat, but screaming at the drivers who are just doing their jobs is nothing other than rude.
ReplyDeleteI wonder, though, if the CATS bus could post something inside the bus about not being liable for students getting hurt while standing. If they do something like that and then allow students to stand, they could utilize all of the space.