USC beefs up free transit

[Columbia_Student]

<p>[Daily</a> Trojan - Under pressure, USC beefs up free transit](<a href=“http://www.dailytrojan.com/news/under_pressure%252C_usc_beefs_up_free_transit]Daily”>http://www.dailytrojan.com/news/under_pressure%252C_usc_beefs_up_free_transit)</p>

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USC will add five new cars and 34 new student drivers to its Campus Cruiser service in an effort to keep wait times under 15 minutes at all times.</p>

<p>Starting Wednesday, TrojanTransportation will also launch a new tram route, “D.” It will be a 15-minute loop around campus with stops at popular destinations such as the 29th Street Cafe, the Row and the 901 Bar & Grill.</p>

<p>“It is an important investment in order to provide a safe ride home. By pushing people toward the tram it helps lower wait times for Campus Cruiser,” Director of Transportation Anthony Mazza said. </p>

<p>The route will service residential areas such as Cardinal Gardens and Ellendale Place, and will also stop a Leavey Library. </p>

<p>“Enhancements to the program were made to ensure students a level of security both on and off campus,” Mazza said. </p>

<p>TrojanTransportation will also modify the “A” and “B” tram routes to run for 24 hours, he said.

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“Thursday through Saturday, students are more likely to be at parties or out late and that’s when there are a lot of calls,” Carlisle said. “To remedy that problem, Transportation decided to reduce the waiting time to 15 minutes by adding more cars and adding more drivers.” </p>

<p>In an e-mail to students and staff last week, Vice President for Student Affairs Michael L. Jackson said all Campus Cruiser cars will now include a tracking system, which will allow students track on the location of their ride. </p>

<p>“To increase dispatching and driving efficiency, we have installed a GPS tracking system in all Campus Cruiser vehicles, allowing students to track their cruiser via desktop or mobile device,” Jackson wrote. </p>

<p>The tracking service, Mazza said, is designed to allow students to stay in a safe place until their ride arrives.

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