TUESDAY,JAN.22,2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
SIDEWALK STRUMMER
AARON SHOALTER/KANSAN
Hollis Berry, Lawrence resident, plays his guitar at the corner of 9th and Massachusetts streets. Berry said he came out to play last night because so many people were off work for Martin Luther King Jr. day. "I'm trying to get out and play more," he said.
Public bus has successful first year
By Lauren Beatty
Kansan staff writer
The Lawrence Transit System finished its first year in business with increased ridership, $98,000 in revenue and big plans for the future.
"I'm very pleased, especially with having an existing bus service already in place in Lawrence," said Karin Rexroad, public transit administrator.
"In a town this size, people should have the option of public transit. Lawrence has traffic congestion, parking issues and is large enough to support this system."
Bus service began Dec. 18, 2000.
According to a report published by the transit system, there were an average of 381 riders per day in the first month. By December
2001, the average number of riders per day increased to 608.
Gavin Gregory, a driver for the bus system, said he hadn't seen a huge increase in the number of riders on his route, but the numbers were steady.
"We have about four riders per hour, that's about half the national average," Gregory said. "Maybe in another year we'll be there."
Rexroad said she was pleased with the amount of money the system had made in its first year.
"The total revenue was much more than we thought it would be."
Gregory said the bus system was a viable one and was impressed by the first year numbers.
"For those who don't have transportation, it's a cheat way of get
ting around," Gregory said.
Although the program was an overall success, there were some problems. One problem was establishing a difference between the public transit system and the University system, KU on Wheels.
Rexroad said the two systems could work together. "KU on Wheels is concerned with getting students to campus. We can get them to work. We go places KU on Wheels does not, and we run when they are closed."
Gregory said the most common mistake was students thinking they could use their KU on Wheels bus pass to ride a public transit bus. Rexroad said developing a bus pass that could be used on both systems would be considered at the next committee meeting.
"We're here for everyone,
including students, but they wonder why we don't stop and pick them up." Gregory said. "This is a flag down service."
Rexroad said communication was the primary goal for this year. She said she would like to work with KU on Wheels to set up a smooth transfer system. Other goals included printing more schedules and maps and building shelters with maps. Rexroad said the system wanted to boost the number of riders per hour to nine.
Currently there are 10 buses running eight routes. The fare is 50 cents for a one-way ride. A 10-punch ticket is $5 and a monthly pass is $17.
Contact Beatty at
Ibeatty@kansan.com. This story was edited by Joanna Miller.
Lawrence residents take in box office leader
By Jessica Tims Kansan staff writer
Black Hawk Down, the big screen adaptation of Mark Bowden's book on the carnage of U.S. troops in Somalia, raked in more money than any other movie this weekend — across the nation and in Lawrence.
Movieline International, a company that projects box office results for the industry, projected the film grossed more than $29 million at its first nationwide weekend.
John Ratzlaff, manager at the South Wind 12 Theaters, 3433 Iowa, said Black Hawk Down was also the top-grossing movie in Lawrence during the weekend.
"An opening like that is really odd for this time of the year," Ratzlaff said. "This opening is comparable to Ocean's 11, but it is nothing like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings."
Black Hawk Down is based on Bobdon's story for the Philadelphia Inquirer about the conflict and aims to tell the true story of two U.S. special forces helicopters shot down in Somalia during a humanitarian mission in 1993.
Lindsey Lowe, Topeka senior, said the movie was both entertaining and educational.
"It was a really good movie," Lowe said. "It was a great day in history, even though you don't really learn about it because it was not a major war."
Pam Burkhead, systems administrator in the human resources department said although the movie was good, she found it to be
too violent.
"It was my first war movie and it was pretty gory." Burk head said. "But it was a really good movie and we learned a lot."
Snow Dogs, was projected at a distant second in nationwide ranking, making $17.5 million in its first weekend, according to Movieline International.
Ratzlaff said A Beautiful Mind came in second in Lawrence grossing $7,378 for the weekend.
Contact Tims at jtims@ kansan.com. This story was edited by Cassio Furtado.
Human Sexuality in Everyday Life
The Sexuality Education Committee invites you to register for the non-credit edition of this enlightening course to be offered during spring 2002.
Couldn't enroll for or fit Dr. Dennis Dailey's Human Sexuality course into your agenda?
Registration 10am - 4pm at the ECM or call 843-4933 Students $35.00 and Non-Students $45.00
Sponsored by:
Sexuality Education Committee:
Thursdays 6:30 - 8:30 pm Beginning January 24th for 10 sessions the ECM (Ecumenical Christian Ministries) Center
Canterbury House (Episcopal)
Hillel Foundation (Jewish)
Lutheran Campus Ministries (ELCA)
United Methodist Campus Ministry
Ecumenical Christian Ministries Center
(Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Church of Brethren, Quaker)
For more information contact the ECM office at 843-4933
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BARTONline
Having trouble getting your class schedule to work?
Dropped a class?
Weed to add a class?
Barton County Community College offers online college courses.
We offer both 8-week and 16-week sessions. General education courses transfer to Kansas Regents schools
Find our schedule online
www.bartonline.org
TICKETS HALF PRICE for KU STUDENTS
The University of Kansas *School of Fine Arts* *Lied Center present*
Fridav. January 25, 2002 - 7:30 p.m.
This Montreal-based, folk-musician band is known for its exceptional harmonies, virtuoso musicianism and incendiary live performances!
TICKS on sale at the Lid Center Ticket Office (785) 844-ARTS and via our website, lidd.ucla.edu
ticketmaster
(816) 931-3330
(785) 234-4545
tickets.com
(Open daily,10 steps by bus,35 steps by car)