As the number of students taking shuttle buses and elevators significantly increased with the start of in-person classes, many students are experiencing inconvenience in using them. Last semester, classes were taken both in-person and online, resulting in relatively fewer students on campus. However, as much larger number of the students are on campus, the confusion between students has been exacerbated.
According to a survey conducted by Ewha Voice from Sep. 17 to Sep. 25 among 75 Ewha students, 97.3 percent of respondents experienced inconvenience due to a rise in the number of shuttle bus and elevator users this semester.
60 percent of respondents responded that they faced the biggest inconvenience when taking shuttle bus at stops in the middle of the bus route because too many students took it from the starting stop. 34.7 percent of respondents pointed out that they were unable to use shuttle buses easily due to the long intervals. Other struggles included students being unable to use shuttle buses between classes because of the crowded bus stops.
Due to the lack of space in front of elevators, every elevator is crowded and chaotic between classes, and the entire floor is congested. Since it has been long-running problem that started before the pandemic, students have attached guide stickers for the right queue for elevators in the Ewha- POSCO building.
However, according to the survey, only 50.7 percent of respondents agreed that the stickers are helpful for line-up rules in the Ewha-POSCO building and only 56 percent of respondents agreed that elevators will be easier to use if there is a line- guide sticker in other buildings. Many respondents contended that it is necessary to establish more appropriate line-up rules among students. Moreover, some of the respondents addressed that ways to consider students with disabilities need to be prepared in detail.
Starting this semester, each dormitory has started to fully accommodate students. E-House and Hanwoori hall dormitory students use shuttle buses and elevators the most because dormitories are located far away from the main buildings and roads are sloping.
Kim Hye-jin, a fresh man from Electronic and Electrical Engineering and a current E-House resident, explained how difficult it became to take the elevators and shuttle buses.
“Elevators and shuttle buses were never difficult to use before, but I gave up using them this month because of the long line,” Kim said. “There are only two elevators to get to the bus stop and the shuttle bus interval remains the same, so I feel like there are not enough buses to handle a large number of dormitory students.”
Park Chae-won, a sophomore from the Department of Political Science & International Relations, shared that many students from Hanwoori Hall have given up using the shuttle buses as well due to the long queue.
“Especially in the case of night shuttles, I had to wait for 30 minutes in the Ewha-POSCO building because the bus gets full at the main gate,” Park said. “I wish there is a Main Gate-to-dormitory bus route at least just for night shuttles.”
As more students were dissatisfied with the shuttle bus system, an interview was conducted with an official of the general administration in charge of shuttle bus system management.
“For the past two years, online classes have been conducted due to COVID 19,” the official said. “Thus, students may feel inconvenienced, but before the pandemic, it was similar to the current level."
According to the official, several inquiries about the interval and the size of the bus were received and the office is aware of the students’ inconvenience and continuing simulations. The official added that the current bus operation interval and size are most appropriate due to the weak ground and narrow, curved, and sloping roads of the campus.
The official said that the bidding of the shuttle bus operating company is scheduled to proceed again soon. The Office of General Administration is seeking efficient ways to satisfy the needs of students. She further mentioned that campaigns on how to use shuttle buses for students with disabilities are being reviewed. Lastly, the official said that she thinks this semester is a transitional point, and the office is trying to find a balance between students’ needs and the school situation.
As this semester is the first in- person semester for the first time in three years, it needs to be understood as a transition period. As the semester continues and students get used to the system, students’ awareness about appropriate usage and the school’s system are expected to improve.