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The Spectator
Behavior on Jitney Takes Wrong Turn
by Emily Delbridge '13News Writer
October 30, 2009
If you've been on the late night Jitney recently, you may have noticed that it's not the same orderly van you took to Hannaford that same afternoon. Whereas the daytime ride is generally quiet and awkward (unless you know the driver), the nighttime ride has recently become more frequently used, and thus it is over capacity and full of rowdy, intoxicated students riding back from the Clinton bars. A meeting with the head of the student-run shuttle service, Julio Monterroso '10 prompted Lisa Magnarelli '96, assistant dean of students for campus life and director of student activities, to send out an all-campus e-mail on Oct. 21 reminding students of acceptable and unacceptable behavior when using the Jitney.
For example, eleven passengers is the acceptable capacity of one van; more than that number - although it is attempted several times every weekend - is not acceptable and will force the driver to wait until all students exit the van. Two Jitneys run simultaneously, so waiting for the second one is the sensible solution to the overcrowding in the first.
Groups of students will not be left in Clinton, even if it is past the scheduled running time of the service (usually 2:30 a.m. on weekend nights) and drivers are given a small overtime bonus for returning to town after service hours. Thus, it seems that impatience or poor, inebriated judgment is the main cause for the overcrowding problem.
Students attempting to stop the Jitney at unsanctioned places is another recurring problem for late nights runs. If you think running in front of the van is an effective way of stopping it, think again. As Magnarelli reminded students in her e-mail, if you try it, "you will lose."
There are only two designated boarding locations: the on-campus stop is in the Dunham Circle by the "Jitney Stop" sign, and the stop in Clinton is outside the Indian Cafe. Jitney drivers are not allowed to fulfill requests from students for other stops, especially when others are waiting to be taken to the sanctioned locations.
The service has also had issues with passengers bringing alcoholic beverages along for the ride or smoking inside the Jitney. The College expects students to remember that the Jitney is a student-run organization, and as such, it is a privilege.
Littering at the Jitney stops has also been cited as a problem. Any of these offenses could result in disciplinary action from the College if reported.