With the proposed addition of a Muncie Indiana Transit System bus route that would run through east-of-campus neighborhoods, Ball State University and MITS have opened a door to even greater cooperation between the Muncie community and the students and staff of the university.
However, the university could benefit from looking into the possibilities of this partnership even further before making a decision on the Student Government Association's proposed routes.
This addition is not the first MITS partnership Ball State has discussed. In 2002, the Manship slate proposed a west-east shuttle service to cover many of the same areas the new route would cover, including the Studebaker residence halls. At the time, the university was four years into planning for MITS to take control of the entire Ball State shuttle system. Opinions were mixed regarding whether the switch to MITS shuttles would help campus and whether the costs were worth the gains, but it was - and still is - an important possibility to consider. Likewise, such a comprehensive partnership might be more cost effective than the $25,000 price tag this proposal carries for about a 3-mile coverage area.
And even that cost is uncertain. The Student Government Association thinks the program will pay for itself once it gets going - but that leaves future funding sources uncertain. MITS would, undoubtedly, receive increased federal funding as ridership increases with the addition of this route, but Ball State's expected contribution past the initial expense has not been clarified - which was a problem with the previous talks, as well.
Also, the buses would only run along this route from 8:40 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., and while those are heavy traffic times, they are not the only times students are traveling to and from campus, nor are they the times when safety of near-campus travel is of greatest concern. Likewise, the route proposed by SGA might assist a number of Ball State students living off campus, but not all of them. SGA and the Mayor's Commission of Ball State Student Relations should be certain the route added to MITS' runs is one that would benefit the most students in the most cost-effective way - especially if it's going to cost $25,000.
That's not to say either of the proposed additional routes wouldn't benefit students, but the university must avoid making the same mistake Muncie City Council made when passing the near-campus parking ordinances.
The commission should give the decision time and research the issue fully, as well as seek student input and approval. The planners should work with the student body to find a system that would best serve the needs of the Muncie community and the university - both economically and efficiently.
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