I hopped off the bus into the humid evening air and walked towards my dorm. After a couple of minutes sitting at the North Avenue Apartments, I realized that the driver had silently deserted us and went on break. The Stinger has rightfully lost the trust my upperclassmen friends had in it. Some issues with the bus, such as frequency, are very costly to fix. However, communication is a key area where Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) could easily and inexpensively improve rider experience.
My incident shows how important good driver communication is. Although drivers frequently remind boarding passengers to let people off the bus first, most communication is sporadic. At the same stop, a few days later, I had a driver tell us that we had to get off and catch the next bus to continue along the Blue line. This level of communication should be standard as it would help students create positive relationships with drivers, as opposed to drivers solely talking to riders to enforce rules.
Another weak link in the communication chain is the bus stop infrastructure. Most stops have a map of the system that tells you which routes stop there. However, they are outdated, with many still showing the Tech Trolley, which the Gold Line replaced two years ago. They also lack vital information such as frequency and when the route starts and stops service. While this information may seem unnecessary to have on a physical sign given that it’s online, up-to-date signs are still vital for reassuring riders that they are at the correct stop and allowing visitors to discover the system easily.
The Stinger system relies heavily on its digital platforms to supplement signage. But these methods are not without issues. The PTS website scatters information about different routes into different tabs and collapsed tables, which you must repeatedly click to access frequency information. If we consolidated timetables into one PDF, as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, does, it would be easier to plan trips. While more accurate and comprehensive, TransLoc isn’t used to its full potential. Currently, the Blue and Red lines frequently stop on West Campus for drivers to take breaks. The Red line also detours off Techwood Drive due to construction for the new athletic center. If TransLoc indicated disruptions such as this, it could help students schedule appropriately and get to their destinations on time.
During the second week of school, I emailed PTS about the poor driver communication and the need to update the maps on its website. Their responsiveness makes me optimistic about Tech’s flexibility to improve student experience. Although these inconveniences seem minor, there is no reason why students shouldn’t advocate for improving transit on campus, especially when feedback can encourage changes that have a high cost-benefit ratio. Let’s work together to help create a bus system we can all be proud of. By continuing to provide constructive feedback and engaging with campus services, we can drive meaningful improvements that enhance our daily commutes and overall campus life. Our collective efforts can lead to a more efficient and user-friendly transit system that better serves the needs of all students. Let’s seize this opportunity to make a positive impact on our campus community.