Student Responses
Based on the open-ended responses from the student survey, we have identified five major categories of themes: comments regarding buses, parking, bikes, transportation apps, and other general transportation.
Under the category regarding buses, students most frequently report overcrowding on buses and request more buses be added to IU and Bloomington’s system to accommodate the campus’s growing population. These comments include requests for more buses in general, later in the day, on weekends, and in the summer. Second, students comment that the current system is unreliable, noting that buses often skip stops, break for too long, or increase their commute time. They also often request that IU improve the bus schedule and publish the bus routes/schedule in print, as well as work to maintain this schedule. Finally, the students request that more bus routes and stops be added to the current system, particularly to student housing farther from campus. While not in the top three comments, it should be noted that students request improving bus safety and bus stop shelters.
In regard to parking, students most often request more parking options on and around campus. Second, they note that parking is not affordable. Lastly, students report frequent problems with parking passes, especially in regard to parking pass status changing.
Under the category regarding bikes, students request separate, added, or improved bike lanes on campus. They also request more bike racks around campus, and note theft as an issue. Finally, students note issues with enforcement of biking laws, as well as other transportation and pedestrian laws, around campus.
When discussing transportation applications, students generally request the improvement of apps. These comments typically note bus apps being unreliable or incorrect about routes, wait times, and bus locations. Additionally, students note bad experiences with the Double Map and Bus Genius applications. Finally, students request added features to applications, such as feature that indicate if a bus is full.
In the final category regarding other transportation comments, students request more education on the transportation options available on campus, citing confusion about the bus system and other options. Second, student request more transportation option or creating free options for existing methods. Finally, students note adding commuter shuttles for Indianapolis students.
Most Frequent Comments
Major Categories | Major Themes |
Bus/Buses |
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Parking/Parking Passes |
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Bike/Bikes |
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Transportation Apps |
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Other Transportation/General |
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*Each major theme is in order of frequency under each major category