Walt Boynton has
been driving for LTD
for more than 29
years. "It may not
seem like we try to
get everybody" he
said. "But there are a
lot of other variables
to consider, like
traffic and bikers."
Adam Amato Emerald
LTD drivers stress safety
Although they have received
some criticism about hasty
departures, LTD bus drivers
tout safety and scheduling
Caron Alarab
Safety/Crime/Transportation Reporter
When the Lane Transit District
bus pulls away from the curb, it
seems no degree of yelling or pound
ing on the folding door windows will
make it yield to a tardy prospective
rider. And although most drivers
dicks,” he said. “They’ll see you wait
ing on the crosswalk across from the
bus stop and they’ll just keep driv
ing.”
Mike Duran, who has driven LTD
buses for seven years, said he is usu
ally happy to stop for a tardy rider if
he’s not running late, if there isn’t a
bus two minutes behind his route
and if it’s generally safe to do so.
“Above everything else, safety is
the main issue,” he said. “But stu
dents don’t always know that, so
they get mad.”
her interactions with students tend
to be short-lived beyond seeing their
ID cards and hearing them say
“Thanks.” In comparison with oth
er riders, Eitterlich said students are
tardy for the bus more often than
other riders.
“If the rider is running late, it’s al
most guaranteed that they’re carry
ing a student card,” she said.
Contact the reporter
at caronalarab@dailyemerald.com.
web Pore/
and NOT
just
online
London.$472
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Fare is roundtrip from Eugene. Subject to change and availability. Tax not
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dont reel they re disliked by stu
dents for decisions they make on
campus routes, many LTD employ
ees who love their jobs say they can’t
help but occasionally leave the late
ones behind because of safety or
schedule concerns.
“It may not seem like we try to get
everybody,” LTD bus driver Walt
Boynton said. “But there are a lot of
other variables to consider, like traf
fic and bikers.”
After working as an LTD driver for
more than 29 years and helping to
put his daughters through college
with every paycheck, Boynton said
he still loves driving and interacting
with riders. Although somewhat bi
ased from having a daughter attend
the University, Boynton said his pre
ferred group of riders is obvious.
“University students are my fa
vorite,” he said.
Despite his enthusiasm, Boynton
admits not all drivers enjoy students
as much as he does.
Senior Nathan McVeigh, who rides
LTD buses almost every day, said
some drivers seem to leave students
intentionally.
“Some of the drivers are real
Although he knows students who
have had bad experiences riding on
LTD buses, senior Ben Peterson said
drivers generally have made his rides
enjoyable.
As a rider who takes the bus from
Polk Street to campus about four
times a week, Peterson said his only
problem with LTD is what he consid
ers to be poorly chosen departure
times from North University Station.
“Because buses leave at 15 and 45
after instead of on the hour or half
hour, some students have to wait 20
minutes to catch the bus,” he said.
Sophomore Selma Mahmuljin,
who takes the bus to and from Eu
gene Station, disagrees.
“I think the system is efficient,”
she said. “Every 15 minutes is pretty
often.”
As a transfer student from Bosnia,
Mahmuljin said she was initially sur
prised at how often drivers politely
say “Hello,” “Good-bye” and “Thank
you.”
“We don’t really do that in
Bosnia,” she said. “It’s very different
there.”
After spending 24 years driving
buses for LTD, Debbie Eitterlieh said
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whatSWAT?
the sexual wellness advocacy team is a
group of students-men & women
commited to educating others about
healthy sexual communication, the
dynamics of sexual assault and dating
s violence, and how to support a friend who
I has experienced sexul violence.
-2 upper division credits
-training in sexual wellness and sexual
violence education and preventon.
-the opportunity to create positive
change within your community,
-working with a talented, fun and
diverse group of students.
hOWiriWn?
applications are available in the office
of student life & and the asuo women’s
center, application review begins may
21, and applications accepted until
positions are filled, contact Whitney
Zeigler at 346-4095 or
wzeigler@darkwing.uoregon.edu.