Puzzling Busing Procedure

Red and Green Routes! The unique transportation system applied at SQU to get over the previous transportation drawbacks. It was created so these students would get into their destinations in an effortless and neat way. How does this system work? What is the overall view of it? Team H!SQU interviews some students and a bus driver to broaden the readers' horizon about it.

The Red, Green Route…

Zainab Al Ghammari, an English student says that the new bussing system divides buses into two routes, the red route is dedicated for girls in complexes 1, 2 and 3 and the green route for girls from complexes 4 and 5. On the other hand, male students have certain buses that move through the red and green route.  These routes have been decided by the admin of SQU. Majid Al Amri who is from College of Engineering, says this system allows students to move through SQU interior. He further clarifies that the red and green routes cover all the possible areas of the university crossing the areas of G block and the main library.

Strengths of the system…

Maryam Al Kalbani, a Medical student assures that the system has some good aspects or otherwise we won't have it here. Using the new bussing system students no longer have to walk long distances at the university; for instance, walking to the Language center. She adds "I would proudly say that moving from-to various places inside SQU has become easier and enjoyable". Majid Al Amri believes this system has benefited students as it reduces the use of cars inside SQU; therefore, solving the parking issue to some extent.

Drawbacks of the system…

The new bussing system created some issues among SQU students. Majid Al Amri says: "As a male student; we are not provided with many buses." He goes back with his memory by narrating a story: "I remember that in my first semester, I used to walk daily to my classes due to the bus lateness." Zainab Al Ghammari agrees with Majid that buses come late. She explains that their lateness is due to reasons such as the limited numbers of buses especially in the red route because complexes 1, 2 and 3 are overcrowded and due to the drivers changing their shifts at 12 and 4pm. Maryam Al Kalbani supports the point of lateness saying, "the buses show up frequently in the morning period, but in the afternoon they rarely do so. There were many times when I stand for more than quarter of an hour below the sun waiting for the bus!"

To improve the system…

Zainab Al Ghammari believes that improvements can be feasible. She suggests offering more buses for both the routes in and off campus. In addition, SQU can create new routes instead of the current ones which will eventually save time. In contrary, Majid Al Abri says that small enhancement can make a huge improvement in the system. He further clarifies, providing suitable stations for the buses to protect students from the sun is a best solution. 

Drivers! What do they say?

As a driver at SQU, Marhoon Al Badri believes that it's his duty to take male students around the university.  He says: "Although a huge number of students use my bus for transportation, many students prefer to walk to their targeted places. They feel it's quicker due to the fact that most times roads are crowded." Moreover he explains that the system is working well despite the fact that students don't like it. Being late to lectures is students' fault because if they early near the bus stop, they will arrive early, as he explains. Marhoon thinks that first year students still didn't adapt to the new bussing system since they are unfamiliar with the places that each route crosses. "Administration could provide some buses for specific stations but not many buses to avoid traffic jam", as he suggested.