2008 Woodie Awards
The shuttle has landed
Rain doesn't keep MJC's new bus service from shining at last
Frank Dompe
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: News
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It can even be hard to be in two places within a span of 20 minutes.
That dilemma is familiar to Modesto Junior College students and staff alike. As our college has grown, it has expanded its course offerings across the two campuses it maintains in its hometown. It's not uncommon for a student or college employee to have to travel back and forth between campuses twice a day. While the drive is short, the time it takes to get to a car, make the trip, find parking and then get to one's next commitment can take up to half an hour.
Enter the Prime Shine Pirate Express.
On Jan. 9, the first day of MJC's Spring 2006 semester, the college will begin operation of the express, a free shuttle service carrying district students and personnel between the East and West campuses.
The 30-foot transit bus to be used for the service was on display outside the north entrance of MJC West's Sierra Hall on Monday. The event brought together members of the college community and the business leaders who made it happen. The small crowd was in a celebratory mood that wasn't dampened by the light shower falling on those assembled. After years of planning, the future of the shuttle service finally looked bright.
Demand for an intercampus shuttle has been high for some time, but the money just wasn't there.
"We did a use study about three years ago," said Linda Hoile, MJC Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The college's plans for the service had been going well until state-funding cutbacks stopped the process.
"All hopes of a shuttle came to a screeching halt at that point," Hoile explained.
The project sprang back to life when MJC Interim President Bill Scroggins took the initiative to pursue private funding for the project. At an event showcasing the newly purchased bus, Scroggins was asked when the project finally came together.
"When he said yes!" Scroggins replied, gesturing toward Norm Porges, president and owner of Prime Shine Express Car Wash. "They've agreed to pay for the graphics as well as the bus," he continued.
Porges smiled as he seconded Scroggins' exclamation: "When I said buy it. Just buy it."
Earlier in the semester, Scroggins approached Prime Shine with the opportunity to sponsor the bus.
"Bill came down to the office and we started chatting about what he wanted to do," said Evan Porges, general manager of Prime Shine. The idea of such a generous act appealed to them. The company has a record of philanthropy in the area.
"We love doing partnerships with the communities we're in," Porges said. "It fits well with our mission of giving back to the communities."
The $16,691 purchase price of the bus was put up by the MJC Foundation. Prime Shine will reimburse the foundation for the cost of the bus and its exterior signage over a period of five years. Estimated operating costs for the service are $28,000 annually. The college will cover this expense itself.
Though used, the bus itself is in good condition. Originally owned and maintained by Golden Gate Transit, the bus once served the San Francisco Bay locales of Tiburon, Sausalito, Mill Valley, and San Anselmo. It was purchased from a company in Southern California.
Jim Codoni, Yosemite Community College District's Lead Transportation Technician, felt it was a good choice.
"I drove it back from Riverside," Codoni said. "Whenever you buy anything used, you don't know what to expect, but it was sweet. It was a nice ride."
"We didn't do anything to this bus," he continued. "A few of the seats have been wiped down by us. That's it."
Codoni and his staff have put the bus through its route and are confident that they can maintain the projected half-hour period between stops.
"Every time we did it, it's worked out OK," Codoni affirmed.
The bus is handicapped-accessible. It can accommodate two wheelchairs and up to 44 passengers; 24 seated and 20 standing. The exterior will be finished with graphics promoting both Prime Shine and the college.
The partnership with Prime Shine will provide the bus' patrons with more than just a free ride.
"There's an incentive," said Codoni. Passengers will receive passes that can ultimately be redeemed for a free Prime Shine Express wash.
"Each time you ride the bus, your card gets punched. For every 20 times your card gets punched, you get a free car wash," said Codoni.
Evan Porges explained the rest of the process: "Turn it into the president's office and you'll get a free wash."
Riding the bus will be both free and easy. YCCD students, staff and faculty will be able to just present their district ID to the driver, get their pass punched and find a place.
The bus will be for college personnel only. No one else will be allowed to use it. Service is planned for the spring and fall semesters, and a schedule for the spring semester has already been established. The bus will operate at half-hour intervals from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Printed shuttle schedules for the coming semester will be available in the Student Development offices on each campus. The schedules will outline the times and locations of the bus' stops. The schedule can also be viewed online at http://www.mjc.edu/news/shuttlebusschedule.html.