Campus transit service changes for spring
Several service reductions are being implemented at the beginning
of spring quarter to improve operating efficiencies and reduce
operating costs.
Eliminating the shopper shuttle. The average nightly
ridership on the shopper shuttle has declined more than 35 percent
during 2004-05 when compared with 2003-04. TAPS shuttle staff
have confirmed that much of the remaining ridership occurs between
on-campus destinations, with only minimal nightly ridership
to off-campus destinations. Anecdotal information suggests several
causes for this decline, including introduction of the “mandatory
meal plan” program for all residential students, increased
SCMTD transit service to Western Drive via Route 20 buses, and
greater student use of Trader Joe's, the downtown New Leaf Market,
and other commercial services in proximity to the Metro Center.
Reduce night shuttle frequencies Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday. Night shuttle ridership on Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday drops off dramatically when compared with Monday through
Thursday nights. During February, Friday night ridership was
33 percent less than the seven-day nightly average, while Saturday
and Sunday night ridership was nearly 70 percent below the seven-day
nightly average. Moreover, TAPS shuttle staff have indicated
that late night ridership (after 12:15 a.m.) on the Night Core
route is “almost nonexistent.”
In response, TAPS has made the following changes: