UAlbany Bus Drivers Promote New Madison Avenue Shuttle Run for Students

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Bus drivers at the University at Albany have launched a new shuttle bus run to provide better, safer service to students who live near Madison Avenue. The bus drivers even produced their own video to promote the new run, with one of their own playing a starring role.

The bus takes UAlbany students from the Science Library on the main UAlbany campus to the East Campus on weekdays, stopping at the New York State Museum and points along the way.

In the video, driver Brian Zell says the new run benefits students who live on the south side of Madison Avenue, closer to Myrtle, Morris, Yates and Ontario streets. Zell used his own video camera for the shoot. Driver Dale Hinterberger is also in the video.

The bus starts at the Science Library, stopping at Madison and Main Ave., Madison and Willett, the New York State Museum and the East Campus, with the first bus leaving the Science Library shortly before 7 a.m. and the last bus leaving there that evening at 8:14 p.m.

"I really like the Madison bus run because it's really convenient for students who live in apartments like on Yates and Morris Streets and closer to Madison Avenue," said Caitlin Mangels, a junior psychology major from Westchester, N.Y. "I live a block away from the bus run so it is totally convenient and way more helpful than walking four blocks down to the Western (Avenue) bus stop, which is how I got to campus before this bus run started." The only thing that would make it better is if it ran more often throughout the day, she added.

"I commend the Office of Parking and Mass Transit Services, and the individual bus drivers involved, for their creative plan to reallocate existing resources and provide improved service," said University at Albany President George M. Philip. "I am particularly heartened by their concern for the safety of our students and their interest in campus green initiatives."

"We are picking the students up at their front door," said Transportation Supervisor Michael Koch. "Everyone I have talked to absolutely loves it, and it is a direct shot to the East Campus."

When Koch and Director of Parking and Mass Transit Services Rose Dorsman first took a bus out to chart the new route "on a seriously cold day," UAlbany students flagged them down and boarded the bus. The need was evident.

"This new run is the direct result of our University at Albany bus drivers looking out for the safety of our students so that they can be dropped off closer to their neighborhoods," said Dorsman. "Our drivers care about our students and they are making sure the word gets out that this new route is available."

The buses also have a bike rack for those who are thinking green, and want to ride one way to campus but take the bus home at night.

Schedules for all UAlbany shuttle bus routes, as well as CDTA routes, are available at the parking and mass transit management site.  

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