After changing the South Campus bus routes and schedules for the better, it is time for Syracuse University to reevaluate the role the Connective Corridor buses have in campus life.

The South Campus bus schedule was reformed after lengthy discussions between Centro and SU. The discussions were based on student input that called for more convenient options to take the bus from South Campus. The new schedule is simpler and more efficient. Wait times are now eight minutes instead of 12, and there is now only one route from South Campus to main campus.

Another change that was made highlights the need for the university to review the Connective Corridor bus system. The Connective Corridor bus route was modified to make more stops on South Campus and fewer stops to the Near Westside. Service to the Near Westside was decreased to only six stops per day. The vice president for business development and corporate communications at Centro admitted that ridership was not strong to the Near Westside.

It’s beneficial that SU took that information and decreased service to the Near Westside, but now the university needs to look at how the Connective Corridor is being used by students. As a free service, the Connective Corridor is intended to be a link between SU and the city. Students often use the Connective Corridor to access the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, a renovated building used for classrooms, gallery and studio space, but the warehouse is one of the last stops on the bus schedule.

SU should consider how many buses are really needed within downtown Syracuse by continuing to review how many students are using the Connective Corridor to get to the city. To continue to improve bus schedules for students, the university could also consider adding a bus that only goes from Main Campus to the warehouse.

The university should continue to make efficient changes within its systems by expanding its review to the Connective Corridor bus system. SU can continue its relationship with the city of Syracuse while also reviewing what is in students’ best interests.