In her Dec. 3 letter Ms. Kopriva implied that I don’t care about the students’ needs. Examples of mine and the SAMTB’s recent responses to requests from the community are: a new stop at Lincoln Hwy. and Normal Rd. on Rt. 8 to better serve students at the Psych. Services Center, a new stop on Rt. 1 for commuters, and remedying complaints of offensive bus drivers.

The board is working on many projects, including late-night service and the Geneva shuttle bus. Although neither project is well on its way, the Geneva project was deemed newsworthy by the Star, thus its front-page treatment Nov. 20. If Ms. Kopriva had read beyond the headline, she’d have discovered the project was under discussion for several months, long before her Nov. 5 letter to me. The story also states the project will ultimately be funded by user fees. In addition, the Geneva bus is supported by many students. I’ve heard only from Ms. Kopriva regarding Sycamore service. I’d like to hear from other students interested in Sycamore service.

Regarding her curious allegations about our conversation, which I initiated in response to her Nov. 5 letter: I told her a stop could be established at N. Cross St. and Rt. 64 (in Sycamore on the existing route) until the situation is investigated. Her response—it’s “too far to walk” to downtown (4-5 blocks).

The “federal” law I invoked is an Illinois Commerce Commission ruling that subjects our system to ICC regulations if we service Sycamore. A contract would be necessary to do so, just as in DeKalb. I said it might cost money to establish a new route, and with student fees rising, we have to investigate the situation closely. If, as Ms. Kopriva claims, it were just a matter of designating a new stop on an existing route, there’d be no problem. She wants a new route altogether.

I also said that to my knowledge, past attempts at a county-wide mass transportation district, including Sycamore, had failed due to lack of interest. She decided I meant Sycamore doesn’t want buses. Until just recently, the City of Sycamore has never indicated interest in our bus system. She said her boss was friends with Mayor Johnson of Sycamore and would discuss this with him. That’s the last I heard from her until her letter to the Star.

The Mass Transit Board deals with many issues every day that Ms. Kopriva hasn’t taken the time to understand. I suspect the reason I upset her so much is that I didn’t comply instantly with her wishes. The Mass Transit Board does welcome all suggestions, comments, and criticisms. That doesn’t mean we can comply instantly with every request.

Phil Kessler

SA services adviser