As more students begin to ride the Blue Loop shuttle, they need to be aware of the new rules for this east-of-campus bus route.
Even though the route remains the same as the Muncie Indiana Transit System trolley ran last year, the Blue Loop is being operated by Ball State University this semester.
Students must now be standing at a Blue Loop sign in order to board the shuttle. For safety reasons, such as keeping students from crossing the street in front of cars and blocking traffic, the shuttles will stop only at these signs to pick up and drop off students.
The Blue Loop shuttle buses are hybrid electric buses, meaning they have no fumes or noise and are environmentally friendly.
The shuttle, which is sponsored by the Transportation Office and Student Government Association, runs on the east side of campus from 8:40 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Monday through Friday until March 2.
"We're trying to emulate the route they ran last year," said Sue Weller, director of Facilities Business Services and Transportation. "SGA has been wonderful about supporting the Loop."
SGA implemented a trial period last winter with MITS to track the
demand of an east-of-campus shuttle. The results were excellent, SGA President Asher Lisec said, and the number of students riding the bus on the east side of campus was higher than the MITS that runs up and down McKinley Avenue.
"The last Student Government Association administration slate saw student need for more east of campus transportation," Lisec said.
For students living on the eastern side of campus the Blue Loop means they no longer have to walk to class.
"The shuttle stops right in front of my house," junior Ryan Thomson said. "It's nice to have something that doesn't stick to McKinley."
"I think it's great. They should have it all year round," freshman Veronica Corona said.
The entire route should take an estimated 10 minutes, and so far the times all looked really consistent, Weller said. However, if students find themselves waiting for longer than 10 minutes, Weller said they should call shuttle bus supervisor Bruce Wiemer at 285-6005 and let him know when and where this delay occurred.
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