![\"Shuttle](\"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2016\/01\/shuttle-drivers-16648_071-508x330.jpg\")
<\/a>Shuttle drivers routinely drive hundreds of students to and from various buildings, apartments and parking lots around campus every day. (Photos by Will Jones)<\/p><\/div>\n
Before driving for Wright State, Hawkins was an elementary and high school bus driver for 15 years.<\/p>\n
In terms of the student riders, Hawkins said, \u201cYou guys are wonderful because you\u2019re not crawling under my seats, you\u2019re not hitting each other, and your parents aren\u2019t coming to my door complaining about something. You guys are a joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkins said that she typically picks up 275 to 375 students per day.<\/p>\n
The pattern of a student\u2019s day is often expressed on his or her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can sometimes read their moods,\u201d Hawkins said. \u201cYou can tell when they get on the bus whether they got something on their mind and if they want to be to themselves, and other times just greeting them will bring out some conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkins said she had conversations with students who were traveling to Paris who later came back and brought her mementos.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask their graduation date and follow students on their journey,\u201d she said. \u201cI know from working in the elementary and high school buses that students don\u2019t always have the best family life … and if they had one person that greeted them and let them know \u2018you\u2019re important to me,\u2019 then maybe that\u2019d help them get through their day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarence Lewis, lead shuttle driver, has been driving students for 15 years. He drives Route 2, stopping at apartment complexes in Fairborn, campus housing and in front of the Student Union. He said he enjoys his job and giving advice to students.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy conversations with the young people,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about taking students (to their destination), it\u2019s about giving advice and sharing experiences. And it\u2019s free. Continuous five-minute conversations can turn into two to three hours a semester.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students who ride the shuttles are familiar with Hawkins\u2019 friendly wave, smiles and conversations and each shuttle driver\u2019s personality. The shuttle drivers have a positive reputation among the students.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re friendly,\u201d said Winters. \u201cThey\u2019re not someone you usually think as a gruff bus driver. They\u2019re very amiable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are great and all of them are friendly,\u201d said Perry. \u201cOne really great thing is that when I am at school late, the driver will take me right to my car and make sure it starts OK before leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shuttle drivers also appreciate each other. Hawkins and Lewis both agreed that they enjoy working with fellow shuttle drivers and for their supervisor. Lewis said the shuttle drivers are all dedicated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other drivers are there for you,\u201d Hawkins said. \u201cLike a community. That\u2019s not something you see every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even parking attendants who issues warnings about parking violations or fines want to maintain a positive attitude and perspective for students.<\/p>\n
Greg Johnson, the lead parking attendant who has worked for Wright State for 26 years, says that he ultimately is here to help students by giving advice and plenty of warning tickets before issuing fines.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to be as helpful as I can,\u201d he said. \u201cWe write tickets, but we\u2019re really here to help the students.\u201d<\/p>\n
His handheld computer-like device tells him if a driver is registered or not. Many fines are issued when students park in faculty parking spaces or have a fake, expired, wrong or absent permit. White-lined spaces are for students and yellow-lined spaces are reserved for faculty and staff until 4 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to keep a positive attitude,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cWe get hollered and screamed at a lot but after a while you say, \u2018God bless you, have a good day\u2019 and they look at me weird and say, \u2018Why are you being nice to me, mister?\u2019 And I say, \u2018Because I\u2019m supposed to.’ But they say, \u2018But you are ticketing us.\u2019 But that\u2019s my job if you park in the incorrect parking place or don\u2019t have a parking pass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lot 20, where the Shuttle Route 1 and 1X pick up and drop off students, is rarely filled all week. Students can turn in their regular parking permit for a Lot 20 permit and potentially receive money back since Lot 20\u2019s permit is cheaper.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is much cheaper to buy a Park and Ride Pass than to buy a regular parking pass,\u201d said Perry, who has been riding the shuttles since her freshman year. \u201cIt also requires a lot less walking as Lot 20 is not too large and there is shelter there. It’s really great when the weather is bad because the shuttle drops you off right at Millett so you don’t have to walk very far as opposed to parking way out somewhere in Lot 4 and walking all the way to a building.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shuttle drivers can also drop off students at the Fine Arts Center and Wright State\u2019s Mini University Child Care and Child Development Center.<\/p>\n The drivers keep lost-and-found items for a day and then hand them in to the Wright State Lost and Found in the Customer Service Center in 065 Allyn Hall. Lost and Found is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Individuals must present valid identification to retrieve lost property, which is only held for 30 days.<\/p>\n The Office of Parking and Transportation offers motorist assistance for those in need of a battery jump, air for tires or gas. The motorist assistance number is 937-775-5678.<\/p>\n A 2015-2016 commuter or residential community parking permit is $61 per semester, $116 for two semesters and $140 for a fall through summer year. Commuter Park and Ride Lot 20 permit is $17 per semester and $32 for fall and spring semesters.<\/p>\n More information about Wright State\u2019s Parking and Transportation office\u00a0is available at\u00a0wright.edu\/parking-and-transportation<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shuttle drivers routinely drive hundreds of students to and from various buildings, apartments and parking lots around campus every day. Continue reading ![\"Day](\"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2016\/01\/shuttle-drivers-16648_061-508x347.jpg\")
<\/a>The busiest times to park are on Tuesdays and Thursdays especially around 10:30 a.m. Students are encouraged to use Lot 20 or the Wright State Nutter Center parking lot for a quick parking spot and shuttle pickup.<\/p>\n