Ohio University’s Student Senate is still deciding if it will support an idea that would attempt to correct redundancies within the Athens Transit system.
Michael Lachman, a graduate student studying environmental studies, presented his idea for a better bussing system at last week’s senate meeting and returned Wednesday to encourage senate to take the next step. During the discussion, senate members discussed whether or not they should pass a resolution, or if they should form a committee first.
Athens has five separate bus networks running eight routes, Lachman said; he proposed a single coordinated bus system that would serve both the OU campus and the Athens area.
“Let’s put the pieces of the puzzle together so that (the system) is unified,” Lachman said.
Lachman also proposed more direct and frequent service with citywide and weekend hours, a flexible van route that would travel to the fringes of the city as well as higher capacity, comfortable and environmentally friendly busses.
Lachman proposed to Graduate Student Senate that students could take advantage of the centralized bus system for about $10–20 a quarter or semester.
“When you’re adding another $10 fee on students who are fee’d out … when do we cut the line?” City and County Affairs Commissioner Mary Kate Gallagher said. “I think it’s a great idea, if there was a different budget climate.”
Senate Treasurer Chris Wimsatt agreed with Gallagher but questioned whether students would actually need to be charged.
“There’s already a bus system in place that is capable,” Wimsatt said. “We don’t need to raise any funding; we just need to work the kinks out.”
Wimsatt suggested forming a committee and drafting a resolution as a middle ground.
“I think that would probably be the best route,” Senate Vice President Roger Jones said. “A resolution saying the Student Senate would like to see a unified bus route, but also creating a committee that looks at what the fees will be.”
tl674710@ohiou.edu
