In an effort to provide transportation for students who live near campus, a new bus route has been added to FAMUs on-campus shuttle system.
Route 48, FAMU Venom Express III was added to accommodate the student residents of University Gardens at Putnam Drive between Meridian and South Monroe streets, and Cottages at Magnolia at Magnolia Drive and Meridian Street.
John Kirby, director of Business Finance/Auxiliary Services for FAMU Parking Services, said the idea for Route 48 was at the request of the university president.
“The idea for a new bus was handed down to me by President Fred Gainous at a budget hearing over the summer,” he said
TalTran charges FAMU $42.36 per hour for each venom bus that runs Monday through Friday. This money is deducted from the student transportation access fee, said Sandra Bryant, coordinator of accounting for University Parking Services at FAMU.
Kirby said there was a need for the new route because it provides students with transportation to and from campus.
Many students are raving about the new route.
Shanita Banks, 18, a freshman physical therapy student from Atlanta said, “I think the new bus route is great for freshmen who live off campus and do not have cars.”
Faith Barrett, 19, a sophomore occupational therapy student from Fort Myers, said having a bus that travels to University Gardens is convenient. “I don’t have a car and the bus is my only means of transportation,” Barrett said.
The first bus leaves Cottages at Magnolia at 6:35 a.m. and arrives at FAMU Set at 6:50 a.m. The last bus departs FAMU Student Union at 12:30 a.m. and arrives at University Gardens at 12:40 a.m.
William Smith, a 21-year-old resident of Cottages at Magnolia, spent two years taking a 15-minute walk to campus before the addition of the route.
“It is easier on me as a student to take the bus to get on campus instead of walking every morning,” said the senior criminal justice student from Gretna. “The bus comes at a decent time every day.”
Mia Small can be reached at MiaNSmall@aol.com. Tiffany Smart can be reached tiffanydestini@hotmail.com