THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013
LAWRENCE
PAGE 3A
Cause of SafeBus and SafeRide decline unclear
MARK ARCE
marce@kansan.com
KU Parking & Transit recently announced a decline in ridership for SafeRide and SafeBus services compared to last year, marking the second year of decline for both.
According to KU Parking & Transit, the department that overseez both programs, the overall ridership for SafeBus' four routes has declined 17.1 percent since last year. SafeRide ridership has declined a 29.9 percent.
Drew Humphreys, the transportation coordinator for Student Senate, said the department is investigating various reasons for the trend, looking into factors such as the increase in Lawrence Police Department's efforts to crack down on underage drinking, Safe-Bus' service routes, and University students' level of awareness of both services.
Scott Ross, a graduate student
from Nevada, Mo., said he was unaware of SafeRide, and didn't use SafeBus because he lives on Massachusetts Street, the central hub of all SafeBus routes.
FRANK WEIRICH/KANSAN
SafeRide vehicles are small, compact cars. Unlike the SafeBus service. SafeRide only gives rides home. Both services have seen decreased ridership.
"I if I didn't live downtown I would probably use it," Ross said. Mason Kiblatrick, a sophomore.
Bus' green line runs through his off-campus living location, but because the route has no stops on the University campus, he uses the service less.
from Hutchinson, also said the location of where he lived affected how much he utilized SafeBus.
"This year I live off-campus, so I hardly use the SafeBuses, but last year when I lived in the dorms I used it a lot on the weekends," Kilpatrick said. "Cause I would make trips
Kilpatrick didn't have personal experience with SafeRide, but has heard mixed things about it from
Kilpatrick also said the Safe
downtown, I would make trips to the Union and stuff like that late at night, so I would always use the SafeBus"
friends.
The instances I've heard about SafeRide aren't very positive, not in terms of the atmosphere of the ride, but in terms of the priority of the customers."
MASON KILPATRICK
Hutchinson sophomore
"The instances I've heard about SafeRide aren't very positive, not in terms of the atmosphere of the ride, but in terms of the priority of customers," Kilpatrick
have led to the decline and ate trying to address those concerns.
said.
use, then we will do that."
"The programs and services that we put out are reviewed each year," Humphreys said. "We'll be constantly looking at where our numbers are at, and if there are opportunities to put resources to better
In order to address some of the decline in ridership of both services, KU Parking & Transit is looking at specific factors that
in the mean time, the department will increase their social media outreach and promotional efforts in order to inform students about the service.
Edited by Hannah Barling
CAMPUS
Architecture school hosts jack-o-lantern contest
CALEB SISK
csisk@kansan.com
Architecture students gathered last night to participate in the American Institute of Architecture Students annual pumpkin carving contest. The group asked members and non-members alike to gather and partake in pizza and put their design skills to the test.
"Our organization has been doing this for many years now and everyone tends to have fun while taking a much-needed break from studio," said Austin Griffis, president of AIAS.
Using pumpkins donated by HyVee, students armed with only their trusty box cutters and creative inspiration carved jack-o-lanterns as scary as they are aesthetically appealing.
The completed jack-o-lanterns were judged by architecture professors based on creative input as well as design skill. The event also served as the kickoff for the fall event schedule for the AIAS. The Kansan made it out to the event and caught up with some of the designers and their spooky works.
Edited by Ashleigh Tidwell
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN Winning pumpkins are displayed by the Marvin Hall steps. Eric Winkler won first place with his "No-Face Pumpkin," and second place went to Hannah Rupprecht and Danielle Latza's "Spiral-Cut Pumpkin."
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
KU $ \textcircled{1} $nfo
There will be a special Halloween Tea @ Three on the 4th floor lobby of the Kansas Union today. (@3:00)
POLICE REPORTS
Emily Donovan
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
- A 26-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 2300 block of Iowa on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and no proof of liability insurance. A $750 bond was paid.
- A 25-year-old female was arrested Tuesday on the 3600 block of 25th Street on suspicion of theft by deception, third offense. A $1,000 bond was paid.
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