We don't ask for much.\nA bus service in working order is certainly not too much to ask for.\nSeveral years ago, IU Student Association proposed a brand new bus plan, which involved a universal bus system every student could use. The plan would involve charging every student's bursar bill about $40 dollars a year to make this service available. The fee would allow students to adjust to with ease, and would allow the school to add more buses to accommodate students.\nBut IU's trustees opted for the phase in-plan, which has led to even more problems. \nProblem 1: Punctuality. \nNo one should have to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus in the middle of the day. When six 'A' buses pass by while you have been praying for any other letter, it is unacceptable. Likewise, no one should have to wait 45 minutes for a bus after his or her evening class alone in the chilly darkness. This ineffective system decreases safety on our campus.\nProblem 2: Efficiency. \nThe school invested in 18 new buses but retired older buses that still work. The older buses should be running in addition to the new buses, which would mean more frequent routes. And more buses might actually mean running on schedule. A schedule means running the buses more regularly after 5 p.m., and also sticking to a set schedule to prevent four 'A' buses from being only 3 feet apart from each other. We should get our money's worth.\nProblem 3: Opposition. \nThose students who dispute the universal fee, arguing they should not have to pay if they don\'t ride the bus, should also be protesting the health fee and the athletic fee, which support the Health Center and the Student Recreational Sports Center, respectively. We all pay for things we don't use, things that benefit the greatest amount of people. The bus fee is a prime example.\nA universal bus plan might not benefit everyone, but it will benefit most students. It is impossible to please everyone, but it is possible to please a majority. In a few years, no one will know the bus system was any different. No one will have a problem with the fee -- that is, if we are given what we asked for -- a working bus system.
Staff vote: 10-1-4
