by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
Clovis Acosta, director of Parking and Transportation Services, answered the call of duty Wednesday - literally.
Acosta published his phone number in Tuesday's edition of the Daily Lobo in an attempt to fix potential problems with UNM's courtesy shuttle service.
He received three phone calls from students Tuesday informing him about potential problems, he said.
Acosta waited at South Lot on Wednesday to personally observe potential problems.
"I'm not here to make it look good or bad," he said. "I'm just here to correct a problem if necessary."
At 7:25 a.m., the South Lot was almost empty with only 20 people waiting.
There didn't seem to be a problem during the early hours, but Acosta insisted he stay at the station to observe.
Several minutes later, the South Lot looked like a beehive with more than 100 students swarming the area and trying to be first in line.
At 7:32 a.m., a crowded shuttle arrived at the station and was only able to pick up about 20 students.
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Acosta timed the shuttle's arrival and said the people who were at the station at 7:25 a.m. had to wait eight minutes.
Some students noticed the director of transportation was present, and expressed their concerns to Acosta.
Darcy Simmons, who works for UNM's Department of Education, told Acosta she was having trouble getting on a shuttle at South Lot. She had been waiting at the station 20 minutes, she said.
"This is the fourth bus I've tried to get on," Simmons said in frustration. "I shouldn't have to wait for four or five buses just to get to school."
The first day of classes, Simmons said she watched six crowded shuttles pass before she was able to board one. She said the problem hasn't improved.
Janet Miller, who parks in the South Lot five days a week, said she generally has to wait 15 to 20 minutes to catch a shuttle to school in the morning.
"Five minutes is reasonable," Miller told Acosta. "20 minutes is not."
She said she has to drop off her child before coming to class, and waiting for the shuttle adds more to her morning.
"It's time I have to factor into my morning," Miller said.
At 7:40 a.m., two empty shuttles arrived and picked up the remaining commuters.
Acosta said he observed students waiting 15 minutes at the most Wednesday morning.
Herman Bosman, a South Lot commuter, said the problem could be fixed if the transportation department were to find out when the largest rush is.
"They have to find when the biggest crowd comes in," Bosman said.
Because Acosta took the time to observe the shuttle stations, he found two problem areas, which are early mornings when students are coming to school, and late afternoons when students are going home.
By Wednesday afternoon, Acosta said both problems were fixed.
"We have extended the existing service of seven shuttles for one extra hour after 3:15 p.m.," he said. "If it takes longer, we'll do it longer."
He said the transportation department also added an extra shuttle and driver before 8 a.m., which would make it five shuttles running the South Lot before 8 a.m.
Bosman said the resolution would definitely fix the problem.
Cameron Harrison, a UNM freshman, said the shuttle service has already improved.
"It's going a lot smoother than usual today," Harrison said.
Alex Aller, transportation manager, said the UNM transportation department's mission is to become the best university transportation organization in the United States. The shuttle drivers are working hard to accommodate the students at UNM, he said.
"We have a highly dedicated and professional team of drivers who work hard to meet the demands of their position," he said. "I think drivers have rightfully earned a tremendous degree of respect from members of the University community - they have an excellent safety record and are among the best drivers in the United States."
Acosta said the UNM shuttles carry 2.2 million passengers every year.
"I think we're doing a pretty damn good job out here," he said.
