Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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BEAVER BUS The 2006-2007 year marked the start of the new Beaver Bus, a shuttle program created through the work of ASOSU, the Corvallis Transit System (CTS), and local business owners. Students, staff and faculty rode the Beaver Bus with a valid OSU ID, while community members paid the regular CTS fare of 75 cents. In past years, when the CTS stopped running at 7 p.m., students had to rely on taxis, Saferide and friends to get them off-campus. The Beaver Bus had two routes: North, which was a modified version of the daytime route 1 and South, which combined the daytime routes 6 and 8. The predecessor of the Beaver Bus was called the Nightlife Shuttle, which was sponsored by the Downtown Corvallis Association and funded through private donations. The Nightlife Shuttle ended in 2000. However, in the fall of 2005, the ASOSU Community Affairs Task Force began working on what would become the Beaver Bus. Each of the three groups - the City of Corvallis, ASOSU, and local businesses - provided $21,000 to fund the Beaver Bus. At a cost of $1.20 per student, the student fees paid for operation costs related to the Beaver Bus. Some 200-300 OSU students used the Beaver Bus during an average weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). “We are here to provide safety for all, whether they are community members or OSU students and staff, ASOSU Executive Director of Services Heather James said. This service is a pioneering effort which bridges the gap between students and the citizens of Corvallis; this partnership is unprecedented and has thus far been a successful endeavor. | Story by Rachel Silver 26 Studert l,(o A student prepares to board the south route as it returns to the bus mall downtown. For about five minutes every hour, the drivers for the North and South routes met at the bus mall to update each other about bus-related issues. | Photo by Rachel Silver

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Above left: Each floor has it's own lobby where residents can hang out, study, or just be. | Photo by Andrew McDade Above: The GEM sign is colorful and noticeable from the street. It is a welcoming sign for people interested in checking out this new place to live. | Photo by Andrew McDade Left: The Gem is equipped with a game room which includes pool and foosball tables. This was a great location to hang out with your neighbors and friends. | Photo by Andrew McDade Far left: The OSU campus can be seen out the Gem's front windows. The location of campus to the Gem was very convenient for students. | Photo by Andrew McDade Left: The first floor is equipped with a community kitchen for people to make dinner or hang out in. The bright colors and welcoming atmosphere made it feel like your kitchen at home. | Photo by Andrew McDade ftv Gar 25

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 , Above left: City bus by day, Beaver Bus by night, it provides a safe ride to Corvallis residents. Volunteers assisted the bus drivers, answered questions and monitored passengers. | Photo by Anita Quiros Above: Beaver Bus driver Tiffany Hance laughs as Coral McWhorter sweeps the floor. McWhorter and her boyfriend met on the Beaver Bus. | Photo by Rachel Silver Far left: ASOSU Director of Saferide Patrick Stromer plants a kiss on senior Shantel Greiner while they ride the Beaver Bus. Community leaders created the Beaver Bus in an effort to increase community safety and lower crime rates. | Photo by Anita Quiros Middle: Orange-and-black signs like this one mark where the Beaver Bus stops are. Riders determined what route the Beaver Bus would take by how often people got on or off at a certain stop. | Photo by Anita Quiros Left: Three OSU students walk through campus after the bars close. The Beaver Bus made it possible for large groups to travel together, which Saferide wasn't designed to do. | Photo by Rachel Silver