Column: Causing no fuss on Purdue Northwest’s magic bus

The+buses+for+bringing+students+and+faculty+members+between+campuses+have+hardwood+floors%2C+footrests%2C+televisions%2C+a+restroom%2C+overhead+storage+and+adjustable+lighting.

Brooke Sotelo

The buses for bringing students and faculty members between campuses have hardwood floors, footrests, televisions, a restroom, overhead storage and adjustable lighting.

One of the major concerns for students with unification is traveling the distance between the two campuses. As the only way this would really be a concern is if you willingly signed up for classes between campuses, or if you have a job that requires visiting both campuses, this does not affect most students, but those whom it does affect can speak about how annoying it can get.

The trek to the Westville campus is not an enjoyable one, but due to my position with “The Pioneer” it is one I must often take. On two separate occasions, we made the drive in what could only be described as a monsoon with near whiteout conditions, almost having to pull over and wait out the storm. Another time we drove over a scrap of loose debris, which almost forced us off the road. I think that was the same time we were close to being involved in a nasty accident involving an RV which left one motorist with a face full of blood. The new bus system for students and faculty members to travel between campuses not only solves those issues in a convenient manner, but also a luxurious one.

On Dec. 9 with my colleagues in tow, we boarded and made our way to cover a Faculty Senate meeting, which was being held in Westville. A far cry from the small buses used at the dorms, this bus was nice. It reminded me of an airplane with its overhead storage compartments, panel of adjustable lights and air conditioning, TVs that I was unfortunately incapable of operating and a bathroom that I was unfortunately unable to get into. The issues with the TV and bathroom were likely due to my own stupidity and not from any actual bus malfunctions. These buses are a definite upgrade from the grungy white buses that bring students from the dorms to the grocery store and bank.

This time as a carefree passenger on a luxury bus (at least to me, though I admit to not having rode many buses since 1st grade), the ride was much more enjoyable. The ride was quick and painless, or at least it seemed like it when my colleagues and I chatted, checked our phones and worked on our laptops. For a school with the unusual circumstance of sharing two campuses, the transit system is definitely a good thing and PNW did it right.