Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 1

Eastern Illinois Shuttle Bus Survey

March 2010

Student Affairs Assessment and Research Project

Introduction The focus of this survey was to assess student participation and perceptions of the Eastern Illinois Shuttle Bus service. Topical areas within the survey included satisfaction with the shuttle bus service, time and location of use, reasons for not using the service, satisfaction with cost of the service, open-ended questions about areas to improve, and overall satisfaction.

This online survey was initiated on February 11, 2010, and was closed on March 25, 2010. Two thousand emails were sent to random EIU students. Respondent Demographics Of those contacted to participate in the online survey, 216 (10.8%) students initiated the survey, while 183 (9.1%) students actually completed the survey.

The majority of respondents completing the survey were seniors (27.5%), followed by freshmen (21.7%), sophomores (20.8%), juniors (20.3%), and graduate students (9.7%).

55.3% of students reported living on-campus, 32.0% of students reported living off-campus within the city of Charleston, and 12.6% of students reported living off-campus outside of Charleston.

The majority of respondents reported travelling to and from their permanent residence with their personal vehicle (58.1%), followed by a vehicle belonging to a friend (16.7%), a family vehicle with the assistance of family members (14.8%), the Amtrak Train from Mattoon Station (5.4%), and other (4.9%).

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 2

Results and Findings

Have you ridden the Eastern Illinois University Shuttle anytime during the 2009/2010

academic year?

51.5% of students reported not riding the shuttle bus during the 2009/2010 academic year. (See Chart 1)

48.5% of students reported riding the shuttle bus during the 2009/2010 academic year. (See Chart 1)

How many times have you ridden the shuttle bus during the 2009/2010 year?

41.4% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 1-5 times, 14.1% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 6-10 times, 7.1% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 11-15 times, 8.1% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 16-20 times, 8.1% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 21-25 times, 3.0% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 26-30 times, and 18.2% of students reported riding the shuttle bus 30 or more times. (See Chart 2)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 3

During a typical week, what days do you ride the shuttle bus?

The majority of students reported riding the bus on Friday (25.8%), followed by Saturday (20.3%), Monday (18.9%), Thursday (18.9%), Wednesday (18.0%), Tuesday (17.1%), and Sunday (12.4%). (See Chart 3)

What time of day do you most frequently ride the shuttle bus?

The majority of students reported riding the bus during the evening (34.1%), followed by morning (27.5%), afternoon (23.1%), and late evening (15.4%). (See Chart 4)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 4

Which of the following bus stops do you frequently use to get on the bus? (Check

all that apply.)

19.8% of students reported getting on the bus at Wal-Mart.

13.4% of students reported getting on the bus at Andrews Hall.

12.0% of students reported getting on the bus at McAfee Gym.

10.6% of students reported getting on the bus at Coleman Hall.

10.6% of students reported getting on the bus at University Union.

7.8% of students reported getting on the bus at 9th Street Hall.

6.5% of students reported getting on the bus at Greek Court East.

6.0% of students reported getting on the bus at County Market.

5.5% of students reported getting on the bus at Pemberton Hall.

3.2% of students reported getting on the bus at Charleston Square.

1.4% of students reported getting on the bus at University Apartments North.

0.9% of students reported getting on the bus at other locations.

0.5% of students reported getting on the bus at University Apartments South. (See Chart 5)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 5

Which of the following bus stops do you frequently use to get off the bus? (Check all that apply.)

25.3% of students reported getting off the bus at Wal-Mart.

14.2% of students reported getting off the bus at McAfee Gym.

11.1% of students reported getting off the bus at Andrews Hall.

9.2% of students reported getting off the bus at Coleman Hall.

8.8% of students reported getting off the bus at County Market.

8.3% of students reported getting off the bus at University Union.

6.5% of students reported getting off the bus at Pemberton Hall.

5.5% of students reported getting off the bus at 9th Street Hall.

4.6% of students reported getting off the bus at Greek Court East.

3.7% of students reported getting off the bus at Charleston Square.

0.9% of students reported getting off the bus at other locations.

0.9% of students reported getting off the bus at University Apartments South.

0.9% of students reported getting off the bus at University Apartments North. (See Chart 6)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 6

Why do you use the shuttle bus? (Check all that apply.)

28.1% of students reported using the bus to go shopping at Wal-Mart.

16.6% of students reported using the bus to go to class.

10.1% of students reported using the bus to get home from class.

10.1% of students reported using the bus to go to social gatherings.

8.8% of students reported using the bus to go to extracurricular events.

7.4% of students reported using the bus to go shopping at County Market.

6.9% of students reported using the bus to go to the square.

4.1% of students reported using the bus to go to student organization meetings.

0.9% of students reported using the bus to go to other places. (See Chart 7)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 7

Shuttle bus stops are conveniently located.

88.9% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the locations of the shuttle bus stops. (See Chart 8)

11.1% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the locations of the shuttle bus stops. (See Chart 8)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 8

Shuttle bus stops are clearly marked and visible.

68.8% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied that the shuttle bus stops are clearly marked and visible. (See Chart 9).

31.2% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied that the shuttle bus stops are clearly marked and visible. (See Chart 9)

Shuttle bus hours are conveniently arranged.

80.9% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the arrangement of the shuttle bus hours. (See Chart 10)

19.1% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the arrangement of the shuttle bus hours. (See Chart 10)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 9

The shuttle bus route length is appropriate.

78.9% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the shuttle bus route length. (See Chart 11)

21.1% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the shuttle bus route length. (See Chart 11)

The flow of the shuttle bus route meets my needs.

73.0% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the flow of the shuttle bus route. (See Chart 12)

27.0% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the flow of the shuttle bus route. (See Chart 12)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 10

The shuttle bus route has an adequate number of stops.

82.0% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the number of stops on the shuttle bus route. (See Chart 13)

18.0% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the number of stops on the shuttle bus route. (See Chart 13)

The shuttle bus is easily identified and clearly marked.

92.2% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with how clearly marked and identifiable the shuttle bus is. (See Chart 14)

7.8% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with how clearly marked and identifiable the shuttle bus is. (See Chart 14)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 11

The shuttle bus accommodates enough seating for passengers.

56.7% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the amount of seating on the shuttle bus. (See Chart 15)

43.3% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the amount of seating on the shuttle bus. (See Chart 15)

The shuttle bus interior is kept clean.

90.0% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the cleanliness of the shuttle bus. (See Chart 16)

10.0% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the shuttle bus. (See Chart 16)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 12

The shuttle bus patron noise is kept to a suitable level.

85.4% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the patron noise level. (See Chart 17)

14.6% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the patron noise level. (See Chart 17)

The shuttle bus driver is polite and courteous.

87.6% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the courteousness and politeness of the shuttle bus driver. (See Chart 18)

12.4% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the courteousness and politeness of the shuttle bus driver. (See Chart 18)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 13

The shuttle bus driver is neat in appearance.

92.2% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the neatness in appearance of the bus driver. (See Chart 19)

7.8% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the neatness in appearance of the bus driver. (See Chart 19)

I am satisfied with the $10.90 amount of student fees that I pay every semester to

operate the shuttle bus.

69.3% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the $10.90 amount in student fees they pay every semester to operate the shuttle bus. (See Chart 20)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 14

30.7% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the $10.90 amount in student fees they pay every semester to operate the shuttle bus. (See Chart 20)

The $10.90 shuttle bus fee saves me money compared to if I had to pay for my own

travel.

64.6% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the shuttle bus fee and feel that it saves them money compared to if they had to pay for their own travel. (See Chart 21)

36.4% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the shuttle bus fee and did not feel that it saves them money compared to if they had to pay for their own travel. (See Chart 21)

The shuttle bus is a good value for the amount of student fees that I pay every

semester.

72.7% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the value of the shuttle bus for the amount of student fees they have to pay every semester. (See Chart 22)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 15

27.3% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the value of the shuttle bus for the amount of student fees they have to pay every semester. (See Chart 22)

Overall I am very satisfied with the EIU Shuttle Bus operations.

79.5% of students were satisfied, strongly satisfied, or very strongly satisfied with the EIU Shuttle Bus operations. (See Chart 23)

20.5% of students were dissatisfied, strongly dissatisfied, or very strongly dissatisfied with the EIU Shuttle Bus operations. (See Chart 23)

Please indicate the reasons why you have not used the shuttle bus. (Mark all that apply.)

47.5% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because they had their own transportation.

34.1% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because the shuttle bus is inconvenient (have to plan time for pickup, arrival, and return).

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 16

27.6% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because it’s quicker to get to their destination by walking.

22.1% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because they don’t know the shuttle bus schedule.

16.6% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because the bus route/circuit goes only one direction.

15.2% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because they don’t know anything about the shuttle bus.

15.2% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because the shuttle bus is slow.

12.9% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because of other reasons.

12.9% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because the shuttle bus destinations are not where they would like to go.

12.0% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because the bus is always running late.

4.60% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because the shuttle bus costs money to use.

2.80% of students reported not using the shuttle bus because people on the bus are creepy. (See Chart 24)

If buses were to run to Mattoon on the weekends which of the following stops would

you be likely to use?

51.6% of students reported that they would use a bus stop at Kerasotes Showplace 10 Movie Theatre.

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 17

46.5% of students reported that they would use a bus stop by the Mattoon Amtrak Station.

36.4% of students reported that they would use a bus stop at the Cross County Mall.

14.7% of students reported that they would use a bus stop at other locations. (See Chart 25)

If you are recommending additional services, how much additional student fees are

you willing to pay per semester?

52.7% of students said they would not be willing to pay additional student fees for additional services.

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 18

19.2% of students said they would be willing to pay additional student fees of $3 for additional services.

7.70% of students said they would be willing to pay additional student fees of $6 for additional services.

7.10% of students said they would be willing to pay additional student fees of $9 for additional services.

7.10% of students said they would be willing to pay additional student fees of $12 for additional services.

6.00% of students said they would be willing to pay additional student fees of more than $12 for additional services. (See Chart 26)

Would you recommend our services to another student?

83.6% of students claimed they would recommend the shuttle bus services to another student. (See Chart 27)

16.4% of students claimed they would not recommend the shuttle bus services to another student. (See Chart 27)

Have you visited our website at http://www.eiu.edu/~stuaff/shuttle/index.php?

32.1% of students claimed that they have visited the website. (See Chart 28)

67.9% of students claimed they have not visited the website. (See Chart 28)

Spring 2010 Eastern Illinois University Shuttle Bus Survey 19