Huskie Line modifies bus routes

By Erin Wilson

Students can expect slightly different Huskie Bus routes this semester.

The Huskie Bus Line Rt. 2 has been modified until Tuesday, Sept. 4 due to construction on Annie Glidden Road.

The new Rt. 2 will be able to make stops on Lincoln Highway and First Street during this period, but will be unable to travel down Taylor Street.

There are now seven designated routes during the week and three routes running on Saturday and Sunday: Weekend Right, Weekend Left and Rt. 7. This new service of the Huskie Bus Line consists of 14 buses and seven routes, operating on the familiar 19-hour day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition, Rt. 5 now has three buses running per hour, allowing Rt. 2, which stops at First Street and Taylor Street, to also have three buses running an hour as well.

Circle Left now stops at the Northern View Community, while Circle Right will stop at Kishwaukee Drive.

“Several variables are considered before creating a new route,” said Brent Keller, director of Mass Transit of the Student Association. “It is an art and a science. I have to consider how much money is available and consider feasible traffic patterns like pedestrians, riders and the weather.”

Last year, costs were cut and bus fares were raised, allowing money to become more available to the Mass Transit department of the Student Association, and Rt. 1 was created, allowing other routes to run more frequently.

More buses were also added to the existing routes to improve customer service.

“With additional buses running every hour, other routes are able to run more frequently and cover more stops in their designated area,” said Al Davis, general manager of the Huskie Bus Line.

The expanded Huskie Bus Line has also become more environmentally savvy by using soy bio-diesel fuel rather than fossil fuel.

“I think it’s the responsible thing to do. The students deserve cleaner fuel,” Davis said.