Campus shuttles a welcome parking solution

   Even though the newly established campus transportation system only runs between the student parking lots near the Hillcrest dormitory and the Thad Cochran center, some Sothern Miss students are praising the security and convenience the new shuttles provide.

   “At first, I thought it was stupid, but it is really convenient when I am running late for class,” said Arielle Bateman, a sophomore English major from Marianna, Fla. “I’m very lazy so this helps me out a lot.”

   Every weekday since just before spring break, from about 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the shuttles have been running between the open parking zone on the north side of Hillcrest to the north-side parking lot of the Thad Cochran Center, often stopping along the way to pick up students.

   “I love the shuttle buses,” said Laula Smith, a senior office administration major from Natchez who rides the buses two to three times daily. “Hillcrest is a good walking distance from campus, especially since I carry a lot of books and a lap top.”

   The shuttle system was established in March to alleviate the long walks students have been enduring since some construction projects like the living-learning community Century Park, across from campus on Fourth Street by Rails to Trails, have displaced hundreds of parking spaces.

   “I really enjoy the shuttle buses because it takes away from the long walks, especially when my classes are at 8 and 9 a.m.,” said Sarah Wambari, a sophomore entertainment industry major from Jackson. “It is also safer and beneficial for people that live in Hillcrest.”
Robert Herron, 54, from Hattiesburg, is one of the drivers who man the shuttles. More than just providing a convenient service, Herron said the shuttles provide safer passage across Fourth Street for students, especially those living in the women’s dorm.

   “I feel this is a great thing for the university to do for people across campus from Fourth Street because it is a dangerous street to cross,” he said. “It is intended for the safety of young ladies.”

   Herron said the last campus transportation service ran in 2007, but was discontinued for “economic and maintenance” reasons. LeFleur Transportation is the company that currently provides the two kinds of shuttles operating on campus.

   The white shuttles carry a maximum of 14 passengers, and the blue shuttles handle up to nine passengers. The blue shuttle is completely enclosed to cover riders in bad weather and runs for three to four hours, Herron said. The white shuttle is more open but surrounded in plastic siding, which helps in poor weather and to keep warmth inside, and can run for up to eight hours, he said.

   The shuttles are electronic, which means they do not operate on gas and require a charged battery for performance, keeping in line with the university’s goal of going green. Most are charged overnight.

   Kemo White, 27, a shuttle driver from Pascagoula, said all of the shuttles must carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher for safety reasons, and each shuttle bus travels no faster than 30 mph. He added that none of the shuttles have wheelchair-accessible ramps yet, but they will be installed by August.