Getting to class, making a trip to Walmart, or avoiding parking on campus – many turn to Pullman Transit buses as their way of getting around town. But is this an outdated and broken public transportation method?

Though historically quite adequate, Pullman Transit and WSU are beginning to lag behind in terms of university public transportation services in the state of Washington.

The city of Seattle and the University of Washington are leading the way in terms of public transportation for students onto and off of college campuses, having recently opened a groundbreaking light rail system.

According to an article published by the UW Daily on March 28, “leaving by light rail from Husky Stadium, (a) trip now takes four minutes to Capitol Hill, eight minutes to downtown and less than an hour to the airport.”

Granted, Pullman and WSU differ greatly in many regards to Seattle and UW. However, this advance in public transportation west of the Cascades is continuing while WSU and Pullman are struggling to accommodate students, attempting to meet their needs with often late and, when they do arrive, full buses.

Additionally, alternatives to public transportation on the Palouse are not exactly becoming more viable for students.

Aside from university-issued permits, very little parking is available on campus, and, as many students know too well, WSU Transportation Services is not afraid to remind you of this fact in the form of a hefty ticket for non-permit holders.

Attempts to ease the need for a car while here at school are few and far between, but are being addressed by the university.

Zipcars are becoming a more popular sight around town and are showing up outside residence halls and other places on campus.

According to WSU Transportation Services, not only do these Zipcars provide a practical option to carless college students, but also “each month, Zipcar awards $27,000 in transportation grants to student organizations across the country.”

Hats off to WSU for teaming up with Zipcar to provide a new way of getting students where they need to go, but l would like to see more of it.

While WSU seems to be progressing in so many other areas, public transportation and alternatives to driving and parking on campus have incredible room for improvement.

This, however, like so many other issues, demands a student voice.

If you’re tired of crowding onto a packed Pullman Transit bus that may or may not make you late for class, make a point to demand more as a student.

Huge amounts of student dollars are allocated in so many other areas that don’t benefit as many students as would an increased investment in public transportation.

So while the light rail will not likely be making hourly trips from Pullman to Moscow anytime soon, increased public transportation in the Palouse is a win for all.