Winter weather leads to increased bus usage

A crowd of shivering students rushes toward a packed red and white bus as it pulls up to the main library. After a few students board, the bus fills to capacity and disappointed students return to the sidewalk to wait for the next one.\nWith the recent drop in temperature and bad weather comes an increase in students who use the Campus Bus Service.\n"Of course the buses are more crowded during the winter -- it is much easier to walk to class when the weather is nice," said Kent McDaniel, IU assistant director of transportation services.\nOvercrowding on the buses is a concern for some students, said sophomore Krystina Neuman, who said she believed such crowds could be dangerous.\nSophomore James Hopkins also said he believes that overcrowding is a problem with on-campus buses, especially at certain times of day.\n"They should have more buses scheduled when classes end so there aren't as many people," Hopkins said. \nWhile students may want more buses, the busing service is already stretched thin, McDaniel said.\n"We already have as many drivers and buses out as we can," McDaniel said. "We don't have enough money for more buses."\nFreshman Kristi Fox said she has to leave earlier for her classes when taking the bus.\n"I haven't had to wait more than five minutes, but I have to leave earlier because there are more people and it takes longer for the bus to get down Third Street," she said.\nThe delays are not surprising for freshman Molly Sinks.\n"The buses are a little late, but the delays are to be expected because it is winter," Sinks said.\nAccording to the campus bus Web site, buses are designed to hold as many riders standing as are sitting. McDaniel said students should not be worried about overcrowding, even in the winter.\n"The buses actually do better in the snow than cars," McDaniel said. "We have a lot of great drivers with years of experience."\nBut with snow and ice on the ground, students might find the bus schedules erratic. Hopkins said the buses he frequents are often not on schedule.\n"When it snows, it seems like everything grinds to a halt," he said.\nSnow can affect bus schedules, but the increased number of cars on the road due to students driving to classes also causes delays, McDaniel said.\n"There is a lot of congestion and traffic on the road," McDaniel said. "Students need to dress warm and be patient."\nThough students may have to wait longer for a bus, they are generally happy with the service, Neuman said.\n"I think that it's great we have the buses, because a lot of other schools don't," she said.