Going the Distance to Brigham

Going the Distance to Brigham

 

By: Arie Kirk in the Utah Statesman, Sept. 29, 2007

Section: Campus News

 

Students commuting to Brigham City for evening classes can now let someone else do the driving.

 

The Aggie Shuttle is offering a bus route to USU's campus in Brigham. The bus leaves twice a day, Monday through Thursday, and takes students directly to the campus.

 

Farah Chase-Dunn, marketing coordinator for Regional Campuses and Distance Education, said both campuses are thrilled to be providing this service to students.

 

"You can't even get something this good with the LTD. It is just a blessing for students who need this," Chase-Dunn said. "I am so excited to offer students this opportunity to get the classes they need."

 

James Earl, assistant director of USU-Brigham City, called the service, which started on Monday, "a marriage made in heaven."

 

Earl said the route begins at USU's Romney Stadium. The first bus departs from the Stadium's west parking lot at 4 p.m., the second leaving at 6:30 p.m. The shuttles then stop at the TSC at 4:08 and 6:38, Veterinary Science at 4:10 and 6:40, Industrial Science at 4:12 and 6:42, and the Fine Arts Center at 4:15 and 6:45. It will also stop at the Park and Ride in Wellsville and arrive in Brigham no later than 5:15 and 7:45.

 

Buses leave the Brigham City campus at 7:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. Return trips from Brigham follow the route in reverse order, arriving at the Stadium parking lot at 9 p.m. and midnight.

 

All times are approximate.

 

Earl said they are allowing one hour for the drive through the canyon. However, it is expected to take only 45 minutes.

 

He also said buses are not leaving earlier in the day because around 75 percent of classes in Brigham are held in the evening.

 

Chase-Dunn said the shuttle runs all 15 weeks of each semester.

 

Aggie Shuttle Supervisor Alden Erickson said in cases of severe weather, the route will go through Tremonton or will be canceled.

 

Even in the winter, Chase-Dunn said the buses should be pretty reliable. She said they have been working closely with the Utah Department of Transportation to ensure the clearing of roads.

 

Earl said he believes traveling through the canyon in buses during the winter will be safer for students.

 

"Riding with professional drivers is infinitely better and infinitely safer than regular automobiles," Earl said.

 

In addition to increasing safety, Chase-Dunn said there are many more benefits of the shuttle system.

 

She said it is an advantage to students because it provides them with the opportunity to register for classes that work better with their schedule or classes that might not be available on USU's main campus.

 

"Our goal is not to necessarily take away students but give students the opportunity to be able to go to the Brigham City campus in the evening whereas maybe they didn't have means to travel," Chase-Dunn said. "It is a great opportunity to experience more faculty members and instruction styles."

 

Chase-Dunn said it is economically friendly because students will not have to buy gas. It will also reduce the number of cars on the road.

 

Earl said a rider usage report will be produced at the end of every semester to assess the service and see whether or not it is meeting its riders' demands.

 

Several months ago, students approached Erickson and suggested having a bus route to the Brigham City campus, Earl said.

 

Erickson pitched the idea to Earl and Andy Shinkle, executive director of the USU Regional Brigham City campus, and planning began immediately. It was an opportunity they couldn't refuse, he said, and it was proposed in one day.

 

Earl commended Erickson and Shinkle for their work.

 

"It really took the two lead goats at the two different institutions who could see and literally made it happen," he said. "I appreciate Alden. He is very, very proactive. He leans forward in his fox hole and is really tuned in."

 

The shuttle is free to students and is being funded by the Brigham City campus, Earl said.

 

"I think it is going to be a raving success," he said. "This is a selling point no matter how you slice it."