Issues with DTA cancellations: Alix Harlan’s experience

Bus departs Kirby Plaza Bus Hub on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo by Seth Roeser

Many students around campus have their own story about the DTA bussing service leaving them stranded or canceling at the last minute. Some stories are simply “I forgot to check the transit app,” or “I went to the wrong bus stop.” Others are “My bus canceled at the last minute and I had no way back to campus,” or “My bus did not show up.” 

I have my own personal account of this. On Sept. 1, I went out to Target at 4 p.m., and it took me four hours to get back to campus. My original bus stopped running for the day while I was running errands, so I had to take an alternative route. The route required me to take two buses, but my second bus never came to the DTC, where multiple students were waiting. 

This would not have been an issue if there was a warning, but we were notified five minutes after the bus did not show up, and it was the last bus of the day according to the Transit app. Why was there no warning to this? Why did many people wait at a bus stop for over an hour just to be told at the last minute that there was no bus coming?

As frustrating this can be, there is a reasonable explanation. The DTA does everything in their power to avoid a bus cancellation, however buses can get canceled due to mechanical failure, being unsafe to operate or illness/personal issues of drivers. On holidays, bus routes can/will be different. 

“Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day use this service level which provides a shorter span of service and a few less routes to give our team a chance to celebrate holidays with their families,” said David Clark, the marketing director at the DTA.

Luckily, I was able to get back to campus in a different way. I had the misfortune of my phone dying while I was at the DTC, and I was alone. As I looked around I spotted two other UMD students who were nice enough to offer me a ride back to campus, as I had no way of contacting another transportation system. 

Having a stable way back to campus is important to the students at UMD, it's especially crucial to those without their own transportation (cars, bikes, etc.) Students struggle with the fear of the uncertainty that routes will be canceled, and I among others at UMD wish to have clearer communication when these things happen, and better understanding of bussing hours, especially on holidays. 

Students, be aware that a bus can cancel, so make sure you have alternative ways home if this happens, and be mindful of where you are and your surroundings. Some alternatives are to call an Uber/Lyft or a friend if a bus gets canceled. Lyft offers $8 off rides one to two times a month for UMD students.