Sporting bold paint, a flashy design resembling the Bulls logo and a promise to be prompt, UB's new fleet of blue and white buses has drawn praise from students in the first weeks of classes, though criticisms of the transportation system still linger.
At the end of the spring semester, UB signed a new five-year bus contract with Cognisa Transportation, ending a 25-year relationship with Coach USA. The buses began serving students May 16 and were nicknamed UB Stampede in a contest last semester.
The buses themselves burn cleaner diesel fuel and, like Coach USA's buses, they can hold 40 students seated and about 20 standing, according to Chris Austin, adjudication and transportation coordinator for UB parking and transportation.
A new feature offered by Cognisa is the regulation of people coming on board. The bus drivers count the number of students coming onto the bus, ensuring the bus will never be overfilled to a dangerous capacity.
Brent VanSkiver, a sophomore exercise science major who travels from Ellicott to South Campus for many of his classes, said he had always been on time with the old buses as long as he left about 30 minutes before his class.
As for the new buses, "I like them so far," he said.
VanSkiver also said he's found the bus schedule to be more consistent than last year.
"I haven't had any problems whatsoever," he said.
According to Austin, Cognisa has been focused on the quality of service, unlike Coach USA did. Supervisors communicate with site managers to monitor the quality of service and ensure it is at a level the students expect. The additional support staff is also in frequent contact with UB parking and transportation to keep the department up-to-date on the buses and their routes.
Many students said they've noticed a change.
"I think the drivers are nicer," said Jennifer Getman, a sophomore psychology major.
Getman said that the last buses were comfortable, but did not seem space-efficient.
"The new buses have more room," she said.
But as with any bus system, there are going to natural problems, and it's hard to be perfectly on time. If a bus is late, you can never be sure if it hasn't come yet or you just missed it, Getman said.
As a freshman, Donell Newkirk Jr. is new to both UB and the buses.
"They're pretty convenient," said Donell, a computer art major. "Especially now, he says, with gas prices on the rise."
Donell said students should utilize the buses as much as possible since they are paid for through tuition and fees. His only concern is that sometimes when on South Campus for a party or event on the weekend, the buses are "kind of early sometimes."
Freshman Jocelyn Young, an international studies major, is a frequent rider on the new buses and said she has never been late to class, but they leave something to be desired in the way of dependability.
"It would help if they were more consistent," Young said. "They're not always reliable."
Overall, Austin said parking and transportation is pleased with the start of the UB Stampede line.
"Our observations this first week plus have overall been positive," Austin said. "The buses are meeting expectations, especially when taking into consideration the delay of Main and Bailey due to the construction. The buses are only a few minutes if at all behind their schedules."
