Campus Bus-Student says: “It’s rubbish.”

The Campus bus is a free service which serves the students at Sunderland university. It seems ideal but for the last year it has caused problems for some students. Heres why…

By Kelly Dunn

BUS BEDLAM-Campus bus causes problems for students

By Kelly Dunn

A free bus service from halls to university may seem like heaven for most students, but for many students at Sunderland University it has caused some problems. The situation is worse for students living at Clanny house as this bus service is essential, due to these student halls being the furthest from the city centre.

Campus Bus

The reasons behind the problems appear to be full buses or the simple fact that some people don’t understand the very English tradition of queuing.

There are certain times throughout the day when the buses are used more than others, causing the buses to be too full. When the bus gets to it’s different destinations people who may have queued for a long time just simply cannot get on.

This has made a lot of students feel frustrated and angry. Especially when some students using the buses could make their journeys on foot, leaving spaces for people who have longer ones.

Richard Field, 20, used the bus regularly: “At times I struggled to get on and would then be panicking that I was going to be late.”

The problem of lack of queuing goes on at the various bus stops; people are that desperate to get on the bus that they are literally barging in front of people who have been stood far longer than they have. The truth appears to be now well known, that if you are going to be getting the campus bus then more than likely you will need to take your fighting spirit along with you, just to ensure you get a seat.

Graeme Robinson, Security Manager at the University contracts the student union to run the service and he believes: “The bus is here to support travel it shouldn’t be seen as the main way.”

People waiting for the bus

A free bus service provided by the university is rare so we should be grateful but it just feels too many of the students feel that a lot needs to be changed in order for it to be truly successful.

Charlotte Clewes, 19, also regularly used the bus service when she lived at Clanny House: “I think its rubbish, there were too many people trying to get on in a morning. I ended up having to wait for the next bus, catching the ordinary bus or even getting a taxi.””

I used to get the campus bus regularly, however I now live a lot nearer to my campus and can walk everyday. I certainly don’t miss getting the campus bus as I am now much healthier and my stress levels have gone down. However I do hope for the sake of students who can’t walk to university everyday that the bus service does improve. It may be free but it sure doesn’t make being a student any easier.