Students who rely on public transit are excited about a potential increase in bus route frequency. The change was proposed by the city’s head of transit Charlene Sharpe at the city council meeting on Sept. 3.
The current proposal hopes to increase the number of routes to the half-hour service for the entire duration of the route, or a portion of the route throughout all hours of operation, which is not currently in use.
The plan is focused on the parts of routes 12, 13, 14 and 15 that cover the south end of the city.
Jennifer Williams, a second-year international student, said she finds the current bus system unreliable.
According to Williams, the buses tend to be on an inconvenient schedule for students. She explained that she sometimes has to wait up to half an hour when she misses the bus, or it runs late.
“I think that’s where the bus system falls short,” said Williams.
Williams also said the bus routes sometimes take up to 30 minutes for her to arrive at her destination, which she says is an inefficient way for students to get around the city.
“I feel like if they focused on [adding] more intervals, and keeping the intervals short between each bus, that would help,” said Williams.
Sharpe said she is aware of the hardships that the current frequency in bus routes brings to people who rely on public transportation.
According to Sharpe the demographics of those who regularly use the bus services, like students, are considered when making and implementing these proposals.
“Students play a huge role in our ridership, so we certainly want to make sure that the services are there for them,” said Sharpe.
The current data does not warrant an increase in routes on the northside, but Sharpe assured that Fredericton Transit will continue to evaluate that as the northside continues to be developed.
“We keep a close eye on the ridership now that we have all the data to ensure that if it meets the targets, that we would bring it back to council and advise them [to implement the expansion],” said Sharpe.
Sharpe is currently waiting for budget approval. She suspects that if the council approves the proposal Fredericton Transit will see an increase in ridership and demand may grow for the other routes in the city.
If approved, the implementation of the changes will take place between March and mid-April. The city will then start the process of hiring the six bus drivers needed to increase the frequency of the routes.
Like Williams, third-year student Alejandra Baca believes many students will benefit from more regular routes. She is interested to see how the changes proposed by Fredericton Transit will benefit students moving forward.
“I have a friend that lives near the 12 route and she usually has to take an extra hour just to get to class, to go to work, because the bus passes so rarely,” said Baca. “So, I think for people like her, the buses passing more often will definitely help them.”
Overall, Baca is content with the recent changes Fredericton Transit has implemented, specifically the addition of the Sunday bus service.
She believes that the changes by the department might motivate more people to use public transit more often.
“I’m very glad that they keep trying to improve the experience for everyone,” said Baca.
