Recent changes in the campus bus schedule have received mixed reviews from University students and bus drivers.
On Feb. 28, Duke Transit eliminated direct service between East and West Campuses after 6 p.m. All buses travelling between East and West make stops at Central and North Campuses.
In addition, a nighttime parking lot shuttle takes students from Science Drive to West Campus.
Most students living on North and Central said they are pleased with the changes because of safety reasons.
"I'm really happy, and so are most of my friends on Central," said Trinity sophomore Maya Haroutunian, a Central resident. "I know people who would walk home through the gardens before because it would take an hour to get home on the bus."
Some students who live on East and West said they favor the changes for safety reasons despite the inconvenience.
"I lived on North last year, and trying to get a bus was impossible," said Trinity sophomore Marc Brooks, who now lives on West. "It's so much better for the people living on North and Central, the people on East and West should just suck it up."
The new schedule saves time for North Campus residents, said Dave Majestic, director of transportation services.
"We've cut down what was a 30-minute trip for them to a 10-minute trip," Majestic said.
University and Duke Student Government officials claim that the new routes are not a serious inconvenience for students.
"Students don't have to wait any longer on East and West to get a bus," said Trinity senior Kevin Mullen, DSG vice president of facilities, environment and athletic affairs. "The trip just takes four or five minutes longer."
But some students disagree and said the University should increase evening bus service.
"Now I always make sure I have a book when I get on the bus at night, otherwise it's just a waste of time," said Trinity sophomore Karen Dixon, an East resident. "They could increase the overall number of buses, or still have some buses going directly between East and West."
"It's horrible," said Trinity sophomore Veronica Sanchez, another East resident. "I get stranded on West a lot more than I used to. I wish they had kept some of the East-West buses."
Some said they would not mind the schedule changes as much if it was efficient.
"I think it's a good idea, but it doesn't work. The buses don't show up every 10 minutes, so it's not helping anyone, on East or Central," said Trinity freshman Diane Bui, who lives on East.
The schedule makes traveling to West a hassle, said Trinity sophomore Eric Dahmer, an East resident.
"It's just pretty ridiculous. I don't know if the University's trying to save money, but I think they can afford a couple more buses and drivers for some direct buses," Dahmer said.
Duke Transit did not save money on the schedule changes, Mullen said.
The changes may even encourage students to walk at night instead of riding the bus, said Trinity senior Julie Magill.
Some bus drivers complain that they are understaffed and overworked on the new routes. "We get virtually no breaks with this new schedule, and it's hard just to stay on time," said Virgil Hall, who drives the new route on weeknights.
Duke Transit will fine-tune the schedule during the rest of the semester, Majestic said.
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