Transportation Goes High-Tech

Dean of Students Larry Siegel stands with student driver Joshua Conover for the ceremonial ribbon cutting

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Old blue escort buses have driven out and new white, high-tech buses have zoomed into the UML lots. Three new buses, equipped with DVD players to advertise upcoming UML events, are shuttling students to and from all three campuses. They also escort students from North to the Pleasant Street Parking Lot.

Student drivers saw a need for these news buses after their noticing that the mileage was going up and the quality was going down. They discussed the idea with Student Services Director Marie Gaine and then contacted Dean of Students Larry Siegel. Together they picked out the new escort buses, which have been in use since Inauguration.

“The students have always appreciated the escort service,” says Siegel.

Because of this increase of appreciation and use, the transportation service has been able to receive these buses and also perfect the way their routes work. The escort buses now work like the main shuttle service, with four color-coated lines traveling among all sections of campus. The Red Line travels between East and South. The Blue Line travels between South and North. The Green Line takes students from East to North and the Yellow Line drops students off at Pleasant Street Parking. All four lines run during the day until 6 p.m.

After 6 p.m., the evening escort service begins and takes students among the three campuses until 1 a.m. This service runs every day and has recently given the on-call option. Any student looking for a ride can call the Transportation Service Office, (978) 934-2222, and request a ride. The student will be given an estimated time of bus arrival to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.

The bus service has proven to be a vital part of campus safety and inter-campus transportation. During this semester, the mini buses have gone through $8,800 in gas and have given more than 14,700 rides on the Red Line alone. These statistics are the highest in the programs history, showing that its effectiveness is growing at a rapid rate.

The student drivers stand in front of one of the three new escort service buses along with Student Services Director Marie Gaine, right, and Dean of Students Larry Siegel, left center, .