Campus shuttle service is needed
Even if the Downtown Campus is sold, students need quick access to other campuses from downtown
The campus-to-campus shuttle service should continue even if Downtown campus is sold.
April 22, 2015
You can’t go to class until you get to school. Luckily, Madison College offers a lot of good transportation options for students, including bus pass and shuttle service. You have several options to get to and from the downtown area, without driving your own vehicle. With the recent approval of the B-cycle station, even more options will be available soon. However, some changes in store for Madison College could potentially reduce the number of shared ride services for students.
Sale and closure of the downtown campus has been recommended and administration is in the approval process. The Downtown Campus is located on Carroll Street, and the shuttle service that runs to Truax and other campuses has become a valuable resource for students and staff at the school. If the Downtown building is sold and classes moved to a different location, it is the editorial view of the Clarion, that shuttle service to the Capitol/State Street area would continue to benefit to students and should remain active.
Having easy access to one of Madison’s popular and populated areas is a great convenience. Taking the shuttle from Truax to State Street takes about 15 minutes. Walking to the back of the tennis courts takes ten minutes on its own. You don’t have to search for a spot to park or pay for it and you can enjoy the time productively with the free Wi-Fi.
Many students live on the isthmus and it’s a Madison rite of passage to stay in one of the decrepit, yet flavorful houses on Gorham, Gilman, Mifflin or any of the other streets with names that remind you of the parties from your past. Having a quick way to get to the outer campuses, from the middle of the action and vise versa, opens up flexible housing options for students. Being able to walk to a transferless, comfortable ride from home gives students advantages, like more time spent on homework.
Madison Metro also offers service to the Truax Campus as well from downtown. It takes twice as long, (at the short estimate) and is a bumpy, sometimes smelly ride. The 6 Route is usually the most direct, but often you will have to walk from East Washington, about a half mile jaunt. It is so nice to be able to relax in a comfy seat with peers on the shuttle. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a shot.
As changes continue and transportation plans are made, thoughts should be given to current services and how they are used.
Keeping the shuttle benefits a lot of people at Madison College and promoting public transportation leaves more open spaces in the parking lot, which we know everyone is very interested in seeing happen.
