When buses stop running at 10:30 p.m., students’ options are limited. Some people don’t have a car to get to and from campus, and using tools like Uber or Lyft can be expensive. This is where the Starlight Shuttle comes into play.
The Starlight Shuttle is nightly, on-demand transportation for Western students. Students can request a free ride by calling the number provided or through the shuttle’s current app, Transloc. However, after realizing that Transloc was not meeting expectations, the university decided to upgrade.
“Wait times were longer than expected, students were passing through drop-off points to get someone else off first, and there were many cancellations of student-initiated rides,” said Andrea Reiter, Western University’s Commuter Options Program Manager. I did,” he said. “By entering into unique agreements with on-demand driving apps, Western will have full control over how we can adjust our algorithms to improve the passenger experience.”
With the new app, students have the option to provide feedback about their experience to help improve shuttle operations. Reiter and Shelby Zimmerman, Western’s transportation director, have decided to move forward with a new deal to take ownership of Shuttle’s app.
“[The new app] It will be specific to the West and will appear in the app store as the Starlight Shuttle app. This allowed us to create our own logo with the help of a design student named Elizabeth Loring. This makes the app even more visible to students,” said Malcolm Duncan-Graves, Western’s active transportation coordinator.
Liz Loring is a third-year student in Western University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design program. Rowling learned about Starlight’s app revamp for her shuttle through her job posting. There is an opportunity for BFA students to submit a portfolio and be selected for the role.
“I reached out to [Duncan-Graves] I emailed my portfolio and was lucky enough to be selected,” Rowling said. “The ideation and initiation process took about a week, and then another week to create the actual logo. We were given a few logos to start working with, and the process was easy. It’s much easier now.”
The app allows users to enter details about where they work, where they live, and whether they have any needs such as traveling with a service animal or wheelchair. These settings are saved in the app, making it easier for users to find the specific vehicle they need.
Miranda Wilcox, a sophomore at Western University, took the shuttle multiple times to return to her on-campus dormitory. She said the shuttle was comfortable and she found Transloc easy to operate, but she was looking forward to the new app.
“[My experience] It was very comfortable,” Wilcox said. “[The Transloc app] It was easy to understand. All I had to do was connect it to my Western account. ”
Wilcox said the shuttle allows students to avoid accidents and dangerous situations that often occur on college campuses. She said she has used the shuttle more than 10 times in total.
Student health is a top priority for many universities. Jeff Baxter, coordinator of the Oregon State University Shuttle’s SafeRide program, believes that implementing these tools will increase the likelihood that students will choose safer options.
“Without SafeRide services or some type of shuttle, students who choose high-risk behaviors such as drinking alcohol may make the wrong decision to drive home,” Baxter said. “We’ve all heard stories of people being followed by someone while walking home, and it’s often covered in the news. This is what Safe Ride’s program can help students do. You can feel safe.”
Personnel managing campus shuttles can stay on top of statistics to better understand students and the scenarios in which shuttles are called. Baxter said anything can happen during a ride, from a flat tire to a passenger health emergency, so those managing the app need to use their algorithms to find quick solutions. Ta.
“Knowing that the university is operating safely removes barriers for nighttime transportation needs,” Reiter said. “And part of the college experience for many students is experimenting with substances, turning 21, and partying. We want to remind all Western students that they shouldn’t drink and drive. We want you to know that we are always safe on board the Starlight Shuttle.
The app will be available for download on the Apple App and Google Play Stores on January 1, 2024. The app won’t officially go into effect until Jan. 7, the first day shuttles will be back in service after the university’s winter break.
“We used it a few times last year, and we used it a lot this year, so we were excited to be able to help them. We’re looking forward to it,” Rowling said. “As a designer, I’m excited to see what they have in store for the new app.”
Neisha Gaskins (she) is a campus life reporter for The Front newspaper. She is a second year student studying environmental journalism. When she’s not writing, Neisha spends her time reading, making jewelry, and sorting recycling. Please contact neishag.thefront@gmail.com.