Get on the Bus! An Alternative to Cars on Campus

By: Kaitlyn Schwers

The President’s Council on Sustainability is making an effort to get the Drury community to reconsider their current transportation method. Recently, City Utilities has helped the council in using an alternative way to travel to and from campus.

Director of the Council of Sustainability, Wendy Anderson said, “We really need to get people to think about how they’re getting to and around campus.” The city bus, however, is one public service the council suggests students should use to commute. Currently, the council is giving out one free bus pass to each student that would be interested. Some students have already taken advantage of the opportunity.

A sorority group was able to use the bus to attend the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Springfield. Freshman Cristina Sharp said it was a good experience and it worked out well. “I think everyone should try [riding the bus],” she said.

However, Anderson feels more students should try and ride the bus as a way of getting around, though they might be unsure of how to use it.

Anderson provided some tips:
  • Obtain a free bus pass from the President’s Council of Sustainability in Burnham 101
  • Get to know the bus schedule
  • Know where your stop is
  • Pull the chain hard if you need to stop
  • Know which side of the street to stand on when waiting for the bus
  • Go with a friend or a group if you’re nervous

In agreement with the Council of Sustainability, City Utilities has also altered their routes to stop at locations helpful for the Drury community. Bus stops can be found near the Drury campus at the following locations:

  • Clay St. in front of the Pool Arts Center
  • Corner of Benton Ave. & Calhoun St.
  • Jefferson St. & Central St.
  • Drury Ln. & Central St.

A one-way bus ticket is $1.25, and an unlimited daily ticket is priced at $3.75. Semester passes are also available for students. More information and prices can be found at cityutilities.net.