LETTER: Gunston Go-Bus Will Serve Mason Well

By Government and International Politics major Alex Innes

Broadside published an opinion article in the Feb. 2 edition titled, “Go-Bus Serves No One; Shuttle Service, 24-Hour Library are Massive Wastes” to which I would like to offer this rebuttal.

I must first clarify that I ran against Zack Golden for the Student Government Presidency last year and lost, (a public congratulations, though late, is still in order) and that I had no part in planning or designing the Gunston’s Go-Bus idea.

With that disclaimer out of the way, I will get down to why I feel obliged to respond to Ms. Fort’s article. I can understand her frustration at what seems like unnecessary spending to create antiquated services, as she said modern students do not need ways to get around town that are more eco-friendly than the car, but the fact is that Mason is only spending money it already has.

Let’s talk specifically about the Go-Bus for a second. A look at the Student Government website tells us that this service will run from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday through late night Saturday, with stops at University Mall, Old Town Fairfax, Fairfax Corner, Fair Oaks Mall and Fair Lakes Shopping Center.

From 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., the Go-Bus will only make rounds between Old Town and campus.

This service seems to me a perfectly acceptable way to spend our tuition money since the CUE Bus (which we do pay for through our student fees) does NOT visit all these areas—Fairfax Corner, Fair Oaks Mall, Fair Lakes Shopping Center—and the Cue Bus only runs a full schedule until about 9 p.m., with two runs staying open until about midnight.

On Saturdays, however, you will not see a CUE Bus on the streets past 9 p.m.

George Mason University needs a service that is going to bring students together off campus. There are great places to eat, drink and hang out that are not within walking distance of campus.

While Ms. Fort discounts the desires of freshmen, (after all, they only make up a quarter of the undergraduate population of the school) they too need ways to get around.

If given a choice between walking or taking an additional shuttle trip to West Campus to get their cars, or taking the Go-Bus straight to their destination, why would they not take the Go-Bus and save a little bit of time and a small piece of our ozone?

Additionally, it should go without saying that since this service is provided late into the night, older students who live on campus will be able to use it to get to and from Old Town Fairfax without having to drive, a benefit no one should overlook.

Many of my friends and I believe the Go-Bus will help bring Mason students together and strengthen the bond we share as students. The feeling of camaraderie most students felt during the Final Four streak of 2006 (I know it is overused, but bear with me) was unmistakable.

Mason has done a lot to build on that experience, but it takes time. I believe most students would appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with other students, even if it is on a 30-minute bus ride to the mall.