Plans are underway for Transportation Services to install a GPS system in The Ride vans. This is the final phase of the Wesleyan Student Assembly’s (WSA) plan to update the campus shuttle after it faced an onslaught of student criticism last semester. The installation of the GPS follows changes the WSA implemented to The Ride last semester, including the addition of an extra van three nights a week, alterations to the route and the enforcement of a stricter time schedule. Although there is no set date for the installation of the GPS system, it is expected to be in place next semester.
Once installed, the system will be accessible to students to view on the Transportation Services website, and may include a live map showing the location of shuttles on campus.
WSA Vice President Ben Firke ’12 said that he hopes the GPS will improve The Ride’s efficiency.
“Once the GPS is in place, communication will be better, people will have the ability to know where the ride is at any time,” he said. “Public Safety wants students to be happy when it comes to transportation. They recognize that there has been a safety issue, and The Ride helps to reduce that.”
Kara Ingraham ’11, who last year created the Facebook group “The Ride: Something Needs to Change,” which acted as a forum for students to express their criticisms about The Ride, expressed support for the new GPS service.
“Having the GPS system is great because it’ll be easier for students to know exactly where The Ride is,” she said. “A lot of students don’t like waiting indefinitely and end up walking. That’s a choice they may not have made if they knew exactly how close the Ride was to their location, or if they knew where the closest stop was. In general, I feel like this system would help students to make a more informed decision about when and where they will walk.”
“It sounds useful, since you can see where The Ride is on the computer and then just go outside when it goes by you,” said a Ride driver who wished to remain anonymous. “I’m not against the idea.”
Zachary Malter ’13, Chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee and Transportation subcommittee of the WSA, also expressed that the new GPS system will improve the safety and efficiency of transportation at the University.
“In terms of the GPS, it’s definitely going to give students a better understanding of whether the ride will be coming soon or if they need to wait a little longer,” he said. “It’s important to know where the ride is. It helps you make an important decision about being safe.”
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