New Citibus route proving convenient for SPC
by ELLYSA GONZALEZ, feature editor
Buying gas for the commute from
Lubbock to Levelland and back again can put a big hole in
the wallet.
This is one problem that the SPC
Express has solved for several South Plains College
students.
A large majority of SPC students either
live on or close to campus, or drive the distance from their
homes to their classes every day. However, there are a few
who choose to take advantage of the new transportation
system offered by Citibus in Lubbock.
Jamie Croniam is one of the SPC
students who chooses to ride the
Citibus. She comes from
Lubbock
to a class on the Levelland campus. After class,
the bus comes at 4 p.m. and carries her to a 5:30 p.m. class
at the Reese
Center campus.
“I ride the bus because it is
convenient for me,” Croniam said. “It helps me get from one
campus to the next on time.”
Croniam says she started riding the bus
about the second or third week after the program started,
and she is satisfied with the experience so far.
“I like it so far,” said Croniam.
“Though it is kind of a hassle this semester since it’s
brand new, but what else do you expect from a new program?”
She went on to explain that everybody
is just having to get used to the schedules and work out the
kinks.
Rogelio Hernandez is another faithful
Citibus rider. He commutes to Levelland from Lubbock five
days a week. He also agrees that the ride is convenient on
the wallet.
“Forty-four dollars for a monthly bus
pass is nothing compared to having to buy fuel,” Hernandez
explains. “It’s convenient. It really is.”
According to Hernandez, there are only
a few regular passengers.
“On Mondays and Wednesdays, there are a
little more than 10 passengers, unless classes are
cancelled,” he says. “I come to Levelland for half a day on
Fridays, and sometimes I am the only one riding.”
Hernandez explained that riding on
Citibus to the Levelland campus has its good points and some
not as good. One of the drawbacks, he believes, is the
number of passengers.
“There are not enough people involved,”
Hernandez says. “But I do think it is starting to catch on,
and more students will want to join. Sometimes the wait
gets long too. I have a class that ends at 2:30 p.m., so I
have to hang around until 4 p.m.”
In spite of the waiting time and small
number of passengers, Hernandez says the main thing he
enjoys is saving money. He says they (the passengers) meet
the bus at Academy on 19th Street and Frankford
Avenue in Lubbock. The bus first makes a stop at the Reese
Center campus, then continues on the route to Levelland.
Val Cochran, director of sales and
marketing for Citibus, says the program is beneficial to SPC
students in more than just school-related transportation.
“When students purchase a bus pass,
they are able to ride on the regular Citibus routes through
the city,” Cochran says.
Citibus also offers more than just
public transportation. Cochran says, they take personal
service calls as well.
“If someone calls our office after
service hours, we offer door to door service,” Cochran
explains. “We will provide a way to get them where they
need to go for just $2.”
According to Cochran, Citibus receives
no financial gain from providing extra routes for SPC.
“Citibus is a public service provider,
and this is a service that needed to be provided for a long
time,” Cochran says. “Riding the Citibus is a great way to
save money.”
Cochran also stated that Citibus
representatives will appear at the new student orientation
sessions to show SPC students that there is an alternative
to spending too much money on gas.
Those who wish to buy a bus pass can
purchase one at the parking offices at both the Reese Center
and Levelland campuses, or online at
www.citibus.com.
Also, Citibus is willing to expand
their services and accommodate a 5:15 p.m. route if there
are enough students interested. For more information,
contact Cochran by email at vcochran@citibus.com.
