Students riding the shuttles from various parking lots to campus may be getting more of a roller coaster ride than transportation supervisors suspect.
Riders who say transportation violations are a common occurrence on the buses are echoing safety concerns with the shuttle system. Parking services, however, says it follows strict safety policy guidelines.
Students waiting for a shuttle outside Dane Smith Hall said they have noticed safety issues being compromised and question what the administration is doing to keep passengers from getting hurt.
"I've stood on the stairs of the entrance of the shuttle when the bus is packed and wondered what would happen if someone fell over and pushed me. I think the thought is scary," North Lot commuter Frankie Ortega said.
Lacey Grandi said she felt unsafe when she rode the shuttle one afternoon last semester.
"I think the driver was driving carelessly, and he slammed on his brakes several times," she said. "When he stopped it was like a domino effect; we all fell forward."
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Another student said she was forcefully pushed into the handrail alongside the back exit after the driver made a quick stop to pick up a student.
"It was when the bus was jam-packed and we were all crammed together and I had no other place to stand," she said. "I think another shuttle bus would have helped the situation."
Alleged rough shuttle rides have caused one student to take legal action against the University.
Josh Kavanagh, spokesperson for UNM Parking and Transportation Services did not want to comment on the incident and said the matter had been referred to University Counsel.
Shuttle riders said the driver of bus number 1121 was asking students on Wednesday if they had seen an incident that occurred the week prior.
The bus driver said he was pulling out of the parking lot when he noticed two pedestrians were walking alongside the shuttle. When he "tapped" the brakes, a male shuttle rider in the back of the bus, who was standing, yelled out that he had been hurt in the force of the stop.
The shuttle driver asked students if they had recalled the incident because he was looking for witnesses to speak to shuttle supervisors. He said the patron was in litigation with the University for the injuries that he sustained.
On Feb. 21, a Daily Lobo reporter observed a violation of shuttle riders being allowed to stand in front of the white "safety" line while commuting from main campus to South Lot. On the same day, the reporter saw a female bus driver running a red light while traveling from main campus to South Lot.
"Passengers are not permitted to stand in stairwells or areas not equipped for standing passengers," Kavanagh wrote in an e-mail. "Stand lines marked on the bus floors designate these areas."
According to Parking and Transportation Services, 20 shuttles are used daily to transport passengers to and from campus with an average of more than 4,000 riders per day and about 1 million passengers annually.
Kavanagh said shuttle drivers complete a National Transportation and Safety Board exam and are individually observed for a minimum of six hours by a supervisor annually. They also participate in a technical driving competition that is conducted by supervisory staff. Shuttle bus operators are subject to annual performance reviews.
"All drivers have been trained in pre- and post-trip safety inspections, specific to our shuttles and complete these inspections daily," Kavanagh wrote.
The shuttle drivers, who are UNM employees, are expected to follow the University Business Policies and Procedures Manual. The performance manual states employees engaging in misconduct or negligent behavior can be fired.
Not all students are concerned with the shuttle buses transportation of passengers but would prefer more shuttle buses to help ease the overcrowding.
Senior Maureen Haas said she occasionally rides the shuttles and is frustrated with the lack of them.
"I hate being late for class and wish they could do a better job of getting us to campus on time," Haas said.
UNM Sophomore Crystal Palmer said she is satisfied with the way she is transported to class and doesn't mind being crowded.
"You have to plan your schedule for less busy times like in the afternoon," she said. "You'll always get a seat."
