With both Mitby entrance and the gymnasium entrance now closed, the college has started to provide a shuttle service at Truax that transports students from the parking lots to the main building.

Starting Nov. 9, the college started to provide the service. The service takes students to the entrance adjacent to the administration parking lot, the same location as the Downtown shuttle.

“We think that will help,” said Keith Cornille, Vice President of Student Development. “We heard some concerns from students and that they wanted us to do something like this.”

Kobussen, the same company that provided the Downtown to Truax shuttle service throughout 2010-11, provides the buses. The money allocated towards the shuttles is coming from the construction budget.

Early reports from Kobussen indicate there is interest among students. On Nov. 11, the third day of the shuttle service, Kobussen reported there were 250 rides that day. That number was successful on several different levels, according to Cornille. That was more than expected on a Friday, especially three days into the service. Also, that was only a six-hour time frame that day.

“There’s great volume and it’s growing everyday,” Cornille said.

Currently there are two other stops other than the stop next to the admin parking lot. Life-sized cutouts of Wolfie designate these stops. They each have a sign that says “Parking Shuttle.”

The buses stop in the back parking lot in front of Truax next to the street and in the parking lot adjacent to the tennis courts. However, there will be one more stop added in the front lot as well near the McAllen building, the building where Information Technology courses are held.

The service is provided via two school buses. There are no specific times for pick-ups and drop-offs. However, the service will be provided from 7:30 am to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Between 8:30 and 6:00, the second shuttle will be in use. On Friday, the service will be available until 2:00.

There could be a bit of wait for the shuttle. When there is one shuttle in use, there will be up to a 15-minute wait for the shuttle. When there are two shuttles going from stop to stop, potentially there is up to a 10-minute wait.

The shuttle service will be available every day classes are in session until April 27. On Nov. 12, 2012, the service will be reinstated to accommodate cold weather concerns prior to the winter season.

What do you think of the new parking lot shuttles? Is it effective? Was it the right move by the college? Do you use the shuttle? Go to our Facebook page at facebook.com/TheClarionMC and tell us your thoughts on the new parking lot shuttle service.