Parents and their children try to figure out the University's bus system during Freshman Orientation over the summer.

Advice on buses may save students time in fall

By: PAUL CHERIAN For The Red & Black

Posted: 8/9/07

If you are new to campus or forgot the maze of the bus routes over the summer, getting around campus via University buses can be tricky. But you can be prepared for this endeavor.

The first thing to know is there are two types of buses running through the campus - each differing in the areas covered.

Athens Transit buses, usually white in color with blue streaks along the sides, are accessible to UGA Card holders for free. Without a card, there's a small fare for riding these buses. The Athens Transit buses drive through campus and run to many off-campus locations as well.

University buses, sometimes white with a red streak running lengthwise across them or 'Georgia' noticeably painted on the side, generally stay on campus. These buses are free of charge.

Maps are on every University transit bus and can be helpful.

Each map outlines routes for each of the buses in different colors, so it's easy to follow.

Bus schedules and maps are available on Campus Transit's Web Site.

According to Martha Peterson, the training facilitator for the University's transit system, finding one's way comes down to reading maps. But if that isn't a strength, then riding on the buses is the best way to learn.

"Getting on the individual routes when you have extra time, and riding them to see where they go is the best advice I have," said Peterson.

She also recommends asking the bus driver for help if you're completely lost. Bus drivers usually have knowledge about locations of buildings and places so they should be able to help.

"When you get on the bus, instead of asking 'Does this bus go to a particular spot,' ask 'What's the best way to get there', because sometimes the fastest way to get from one spot to the next is transferring buses midway," Peterson said.

"Some stuff was a little bit confusing, but I got used to it very quickly" said Greg Frierson, a transfer student from Stone Mountain. "Campus Transit is great because they run frequently, so I didn't have to run after busses if I missed them. It's very convenient."

It is important to remember that learning or refreshing your memory of the campus routes is not difficult. Riders might get lost a couple of times, but that's almost a ritual - a University rite of passage.

With riding buses enough and getting a better understanding of campus, you will be able to move from place to place as easily as connecting dots on a page.

• Bus Etiquette

One of the most important things about taking the buses is bus decorum. In order to ensure your fellow passengers aren't wishing to whack you with the latest copy of the Red & Black, you should follow some simple advise.

• The worst thing to do is rush on a bus with many people at once. First, let people who want to get off at the stop exit the bus. Entering prematurely can result in condescending looks and an awkward moment.

The bus driver is not going to leave you behind if you are not the first to enter. Relax and enter the bus gracefully after the outbound are off the bus.

• After boarding the bus, remember to find a seat or hold on to something so that you do not fall when the bus starts to move. If you are standing, walk all the way to the end of the bus so that it can fill up in every direction.

• Be nice, and let the elderly have precedence.

Practicing these manners can help your bus ride become a much more enjoyable experience.

• Getting Behind the Wheel

You will notice that many of the buses are driven by students. The pay for University bus drivers is one of the highest rates available for any part-time job on campus.

Students who have no experience riding buses need to have enough of it so they can drive safely. Peterson said there many steps to the training process, which takes up to 16 weeks to complete. These training steps are doable and rewarding, considering the pay.

Within the first ten days of training, students will go through both in-class training and runs within a confined training property.

The second part of training will allow drivers to leave the property and train with one-on-one with a road instructor. At this point, the student will have a learner's license and a experienced driver by his or her side. No other passengers will participate in this exercise.

The third part of the process - known as line training - involves carrying passengers around campus while accompanied with a full-time driver.

Then, after taking a practical test, the student is provided a license and is considered a driver.