With a changed route system and a hands-on field supervisor the Ball State University shuttle bus system is focusing on timeliness and customer service this year.
Bruce Wiemer was hired by Ball State University as the field supervisor for shuttle bus operations, a position created this summer. With 38 years of transportation experience, he will bring a more hands-on approach to the operation, he said. He's not in the office all day, he gets out to check and make sure the buses are making stops on time and he drives when he's needed.
Even though the first week had its glitches, Wiemer said while the start was very busy and fast paced, it was successful.
"It's great service for students," he said. "That's what we're doing here, we work for students."
When Wiemer arrived here he said he met with Brenda Kearns, transportation supervisor, about the shuttle routes and developed about seven ways to run the shuttles. The two of them picked a system that has a red loop and a green loop. The red loop runs from the north bus shelter to the south bus shelter, serving the main campus. The green loop also serves the main campus, but also runs north to Scheumann Stadium and Scheidler Apartments.
Many students agree the change in the bus routes has been a positive one. Student Government Association President Asher Lisec said last year students complained that they wouldn't see buses when they were waiting and this year there seem to be more on the road.
"The wait times have been down for students," Lisec said. "It seems as if the shuttle buses are coming more consistently."
Weller said the department has put a big effort on customer service and timeliness by the drivers this year.
"I haven't heard many complaints when I've been out," Weller said. "Students seem to be real receptive."
This semester students will also be driving the shuttles. Wiemer is working on setting up a training program for students to become shuttle bus drivers. Weller said the idea to have student drivers has been in the strategic plan for 10 or 12 years and that there was one for a little while last year.
Currently three students have expressed an interest in the job, which is listed as job number 261371 on Cardinal ViewJobs, and Wiemer hopes to have two of them driving by the end of September. Ball State will help students interested prepare for the CDL tests, providing that training for free.
"We'll train whoever applies," he said. "I think it's a good experience."
Once the student gets a learner permit, they will be able to drive a shuttle bus without students for further training. They will have a month to pass the CDL tests and can then begin driving the shuttle with students on it. Once students get their full CDL license they will be paid $7.50 an hour.
"That's something you can keep forever," Wiemer said about the experience of driving a shuttle bus.
Another change in the shuttle system will occur at the beginning of the Spring Semester when Ball State adds a blue route. That route will be the same one Muncie Indiana Transit System experimented with during the 2006 Spring Semester.
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