Buses

by Shad Ahmed and John Budde

The bus is a staple of transportation in any public setting, but its importance was not always prevalent As the usage of personal automobiles became more widespread, buses fell out in favor of personal mobility, while reliance on oil grew concurrently. However, due to the oil crisis of 1973, significant changes in transportation choices ensued. What used to be only one bus became an entire system, as KU began to rely more heavily upon the bus as a mode of transportation for its students.

“KU students boarding a bus on its way to campus”, 1975. Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University Archives Photos.

Entering the 1970’s, petroleum usage for transportation was climbing rapidly due to the significant usage of personal automobiles, reaching a 131% increase from 1950 to 1970.¹ In 1973, however, supply plummeted with the embargo placed by key oil exporters. Presented with a sudden need for more economical transportation, the use of buses became much more prevalent. This change was especially noticeable at universities, where personal transportation was not as viable an option for students. At KU, ridership for buses rose dramatically in direct correlation with the crisis. Between 1972 and 1973, the number of total riders increased by 35% and the running hours by 12%.²

Additionally, the cost of operating the buses decreased by 24%, indicating that as ridership increased, the efficiency of the buses themselves also rose. In the subsequent years of 1974 and 1975, ridership grew by 59.3% and 56.2% respectively.³ Students have cited economic problems and an increase in parking zone fees as reasons for opting for the bus system.⁴ The significant growth of the bus system can be attributed to the steep oil prices and the need to conserve fuel whenever possible. However, another large factor in the bus system’s growth was the KU Student Senate, who wrote numerous reports on the efficiency of the bus system to promote its introduction.

“A bus passes in front of Strong Hall on Nov. 16, 2015, on the University of Kansas campus”, Changes Coming to Some City-KU Bus Routes, Rochelle Valverde, 2018.

The Present

As time has passed, the bus system has become notably more widespread at KU and in Lawrence as well. However, because the bus system allows many people to ride at once, this can be a notable safety concern, as experienced by many during the Coronavirus outbreak. Few people chose to ride the bus during the pandemic, so many buses were held back, along with workers being laid off. The city of Lawrence urged “passengers to only take essential trips”, which led to a significant decrease in bus usage.⁵ While the virus outbreak was an outlier of typical bus service, the fact remains that in times where personal safety is valued, the bus system is unable to address those concerns adequately. Even so, the bus system is still improving to ensure satisfaction, as with the addition of more night routes. By “making the service available to the community at large”, the bus system ensures that it is still a viable option to students and civilians.⁶

The Future

As the transition to personal technology has allowed transportation to become more streamlined, the bus system at KU has become digitized. My Bus Lawrence is an app that allows students to track buses throughout the campus and city in real-time. Preceded by the Where’s My Bus app which was launched in August of 2014 and whose interface was not well-received, it was released as a supplantation on July 26, 2017, on both iOS and Android platforms.⁷ The app shows the routes for each bus, as well as their stops, current locations, and estimated arrival times.

The icon of the My Bus Lawrence app, a symbol of the modernization of the KU bus system

KU Bus Routes, ITTC

The KU bus system can be described as having three stages: the first, during the 1970s when it burgeoned owing to the oil crisis and efforts of the Student Senate; the second, in the present as the Coronavirus outbreak has recoiled on the system, forcing it to adjust; and the third, an outlook on the future as the fruits of digitization have further developed the system. The bus infrastructure at KU, beyond capturing the zeitgeist of each period by reflecting socioeconomic and technological shifts, has always responded to the greater needs of its students. It has offered public, economical, and energy-efficient mobility as a viable alternative to personal automobiles for generations of students and its growth is promising for the future.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse