The Observer, March 7, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 20
Alterations proposed for existing Greenie routes
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After months of surveys and discussion, USG finally drafted a resolution to Standard Parking on Case's most loved or hated transportation system, the Greenies. Proposed on Feb. 26, the resolution recommends significant changes to the current Greenie routes in order to maximize student satisfaction and efficiency as well as changes to the current Greenie shelters and the NextBus tracking system. However, real improvements to the Greenie system will depend on Standard Parking's reception and acknowledgement of USG's resolution.
The Greenie survey USG conducted late last semester revealed a common list of student complaints with USG categorizing all responses into four general categories: unreliability, long waits, confusion, and Greenie drivers.
Among specific complaints, students wrote that "Greenies need to run until specified times (i.e. they should stop running at 2 a.m. on the weekends–not 1:45 a.m.)," and Standard Parking should "add more timers to stops (which would imply more shelters) and make sure the current ones are accurate."
Before USG officially drafted a resolution, they approached Standard Parking to voice general complaints and gauge how receptive Parking would be to recommended changes.
"Both the university administration and Standard Parking have already been working with USG on several of these changes including driver performance, NextBus functionality, signage, bus shelters, and so on," said Dave Tomco, senior manager of Standard Parking.
The USG subcommittee handling the resolution then used the four general categories to draft proposed solutions to Standard Parking, making sure to address as many student concerns as possible.
"Being that we were looking at the Greenies, there were quite a few unreasonable comments, but we did not overlook any complaint without trying to incorporate it into our plan," said Myles Nickolich, USG Vice President of Student Life.
Among the proposed changes, USG recommended that stop shelters be remodeled to mimic the newly designed Euclid Corridor shelters and that Standard Parking implement a more stringent driver accountability and orientation program that holds drivers accountable for their actions. But the major changes proposed to Standard Parking reflect student dissatisfaction with current Greenie routes.
Of the 15 pages that constitute the USG resolution, eight pages diagram current Greenie routes and USG's revamped routes that take into consideration student concerns.
The new Circle Link route would limit backtracking and would work much more efficiently with the Commuter Shuttle. While the Village parking lot stop would be eliminated, the Circle Link would pick up two new stops at Ford and Bellflower, and Juniper and East 115th. Additionally, the often confusing loop to the Natural History Museum and Art Museum would be streamlined and simplified.
For the Commuter Shuttle, USG proposes that Standard Parking implement three new stops along Adelbert Road to service students headed to Millis and Kent Hale Smith, and keep all existing stops. Additionally, the Commuter Shuttle would pick up two prior Circle Link stops at East 115th and Euclid, and Ford and Euclid. USG hopes the addition of stops on the quad will reduce the number of passengers riding on the Circle Link.
The North and South Evening Loop shuttles would also receive a makeover. USG proposed minimal changes to the North Loop, including the addition of stops and the elimination of the Southside RTA stop.
The South Loop, however, would feature new stops to tie the campus to Little Italy, Coventry, Cedar Road, and Dave's Market. There would also be a short route from the Fribley area to the Carlton Road complex. Additionally, USG proposes more stops along Overlook Rd., Euclid Heights Blvd., and Cedar Rd. In the resolution, USG claims that the shuttles for the South Loop would maintain the same schedule while taking advantage of right turns and higher speed limits on larger roads. However, like the North Loop, the RTA stop was eliminated per student opinion in surveys and meetings.
"The routes and resolution clauses were the manifestation of complaints and comments from the surveys. The new South Loop is a good example of how the routes were completely redesigned to fit the needs of the riders," said Nickolich.
Although the changes proposed often deviate significantly from current routes and policies, Nickolich is confident that Standard Parking will adopt the proposals.
"Judging from my last meeting with Standard Parking and Campus Services, there shouldn't be too many problems with the resolution. This should be a top priority of Standard Parking. They have already been receptive of our concerns, and have followed up with them through the addition of driver name tags and the complaint hotline."
However, Nickolich is doubtful of the proposed Circle Link changes because so many organizations and businesses put money into the shuttle.
Of the resolution, Tomco said, "It is obvious that the student government put a lot of time and effort into the Greenie Resolution and the associated recommendations . . . but we will need some time to fully evaluate the other recommendations and address the overall impact of any changes that may occur before we can provide any further comments."
