NECC students and even staff find the bus shuttles very useful during all the busy school days throughout the semesters. 

It has become a lifesaver for students that need to travel in between both Lawrence and Haverhill Campuses. The shuttles typically run every hour and even a few times in the late evening, picking up and dropping off students at both campuses.  

Before Covid-19, students had to deal with the burden of using the city buses to get to either campus, which could make it complicated due to the prolonged time it took for the city buses to get to whichever campus. Students would arrive late to class and because of this some students would not register for classes in either the Lawrence or Haverhill campus. After Covid-19, the NECC bus shuttle was reinstated, making every student’s life easier. Thus, student life couldn’t be a happy one if the NECC shuttle wasn’t operating. Students’ academic success as well as activity and engagement has improved since the shuttles began running again. Here at NECC, we hope that they continue to operate for as long as the campus lives because IT IS a part of campus life and not only do students need it, but even some staff members use it if they need a lift.  

One of the main thing’s students do consider is the size of the shuttles, usually most students say they prefer the shuttle that has more room, like the blue shuttle instead of the white athletic van. Though the shuttle has impacted student life significantly, several conflicts have presented and are possible to happen again like when too many students show up for the morning shuttle on the first day of school but don’t all fit in.

As morning classes are the fullest classes, it may not be surprising that many students plan to use the shuttle and show up for the shuttle to get to class or to get back. The question is, how would the driver know students’ schedules and or the number of students that will be taking the shuttle for each scheduled time?

One time at the beginning of the semester, too many students showed up in the morning to take the shuttle, but not all could make it to class because there was only a number of seats. Even though after that, the driver had arranged for back up shuttles, it is good to consider a better solution or ground communication plan so that extra shuttles that may not be needed, are not wasting gas, money, and time for drivers that do other jobs at the college.  

What if the school could create an app that would contribute as a service to the shuttle for students and staff? It could allow for students to register for the shuttles each semester, reserve seats, notify the drivers of any changes like potential delays due to a meeting or class ending at the exact time the shuttle leaves the campus, etc.

It may also allow drivers to view the schedules of students who sign up so that drivers know how many students they may expect. It could serve to reach out or communicate with the driver in case a student is two minutes away from reaching the shuttle before it leaves. This way, students don’t miss the shuttle too.  

I think it would be beneficial for the students for them to know when the shuttle is transitioning from campus to campus. I have no problem with an App that has a tracking device inside the shuttle as long as it is cost effective for the college.” Says Darren Stratton, who manages the coordination of the NECC shuttle transportation. 

 When asked, “Do you think that an App for the shuttle would help with things like improve communication with students and drivers?” Athletic director Dan Blair said, “I am not saying that the school shouldn’t nor that the school should create an App but if it does happen, it should be for more than just the shuttles.”  

Students say the shuttle is a benefit to them. 

“It saves us a lot of time, and we don’t need to use the public buses in Lawrence,” Says student, Melvin Perez.  

“Not only are the drivers friendly but allows for me to save a lot of time, energy, money, and planning. It’s a huge conservation innovation, which is especially important for commuters nowadays.” Student Linda Valenzuela agrees. 

Other students also agree that an NECC shuttle App is a good idea. 

“It is a great idea because it will help students to get to class.” Says student, Jake Axford.  

What other things could be considered if an app is created for students?  In what other ways could NECC app serve both students and staff? For the protection of the drivers and students, what may be some policies that can be enforced by the school? For example, all seatbelts must be worn, forms should be signed, etc. Students may reach out to the studentgovernment@student.necc.edu.  

a part of campus life and not only do students need it, but even some staff members use it if they need a lift.  

One of the main thing’s students do consider is the size of the shuttles, usually most students say they prefer the shuttle that has more room, like the blue shuttle instead of the white athletic van. 

Though the shuttle has impacted student life significantly, several conflicts have presented and are possible to happen again like when too many students showed up for the morning shuttle on the first day of school but didn’t all fit in. 

As morning classes are the fullest classes, it may not be surprising that many students plan to use the shuttle and show up for the shuttle to get to class or to get back. 

The question is, how would the driver know students’ schedules and or the number of students that will be taking the shuttle for each scheduled time? 

One time at the beginning of the semester, too many students showed up in the morning to take the shuttle, but not all could make it to class because there was only a number of seats. 

Even though after that, the driver had arranged for back up shuttles, it is good to consider a better solution or ground communication plan so that extra shuttles that may not be needed, are not wasting gas, money, and time for drivers that do other jobs at the college.  

What if the school could create an app that would contribute as a service to the shuttle for students and staff? 

It could allow for students to register for the shuttles each semester, reserve seats, notify the drivers of any changes like potential delays due to a meeting or class ending at the exact time the shuttle leaves the campus, etc. 

It may also allow drivers to view the schedules of students who sign up so that drivers know how many students they may expect. 

It could serve to reach out or communicate with the driver in case a student is two minutes away from reaching the shuttle before it leaves. This way, students don’t miss the shuttle too.  

“I think it would be beneficial for the students for them to know when the shuttle is transitioning from campus to campus. I have no problem with an app that has a tracking device inside the shuttle as long as it is cost effective for the college,” says NECC’s  Darren Stratton, who manages the coordination of the NECC shuttle transportation, drives a shuttle and is the head basketball coach.

 When asked, “Do you think that an app for the shuttle would help with things like improve communication with students and drivers?” 

Athletic director Dan Blair said, “I am not saying that the school shouldn’t nor that the school should create an App but if it does happen, it should be for more than just the shuttles.”  

Students say the shuttle is a benefit to them. 

“It saves us a lot of time, and we don’t need to use the public buses in Lawrence,” says student, Melvin Perez.  

“Not only are the drivers friendly but allows for me to save a lot of time, energy, money, and planning. It’s a huge conservation innovation, which is especially important for commuters nowadays,” says student Linda Valenzuela agrees. 

Other students also agree that an NECC shuttle App is a good idea. 

“It is a great idea because it will help students to get to class,” says student, Jake Axford.  

What other things could be considered if an app is created for students?  

In what other ways could NECC app serve both students and staff? For the protection of the drivers and students, what may be some policies that can be enforced by the school? 

For example, all seatbelts must be worn, forms should be signed, etc. 

Students may reach out to the studentgovernment@student.necc.edu.