Students had a new transportation option this weekend, as Right Way, a private company operated by local businessman Tom Klatt, started its late-night bussing service.
Few students took advantage of it.
“The participation wasn’t great,” Klatt said, adding that 25 to 30 students rode the busses on the inaugural weekend.
| “It is definitely a good possibility that I will ride it in the future.” –Ryan Stone Sophomore |
Many students said they were completely unaware the new service existed.
“I didn’t really hear anything about it until it was actually already started,” sophomore Ryan Stone said.
Even RAs were unaware of the new busses taking students from upper-campus to Borders Books Music and Cafe, Festival Foods, Oakwood Mall, Wal-Mart and Water Street.
“At least I would have put up a flyer on my bulletin board or wall,” sophomore Jason Kell, a Murray Hall RA, said.
Students were receptive when informed of the new service.
“It is definitely a good possibility that I will ride it in the future,” Stone said.
Right Way said they have reason to believe the service will be successful because similar services in college towns like La Crosse have been.
In comparison to the 25 to 30 passengers who rode Right Way’s bus this weekend, last year on the second weekend of September, Safe Ride, La Crosse’s late-night bus service, served 1,327 students over a three-day period.
The marked difference between Safe Ride and Right Way is that Safe Ride is free; costs are paid through the student activity fee.
Sonna Kopp, a Transit Service Representative for La Crosse’s Municipal Transit Utility, suggested Klatt find a way to make Right Way’s service free.
“He should work with the university in terms of getting funds from the activities fee,” Kopp said.
Klatt, who said he has no immediate plans to partner with the university or Student Senate, has however received limited sponsorship from Park Ridge Distributing and Saratoga Liquors to keep the cost of the service at $1 until Oct. 31.
However, he said does not believe the cost will prevent the service from being successful.
For the time being, Right Way is changing its routes to try to stimulate business.
One change is that Super Target has been added to the route that takes students to the Oakwood Mall area.
Klatt added the company is planning on having one of the two busses that picks up students on Water Street run into the Niagara Street area to reach off-campus students who don’t live near Water Street.
