DOTS temporarily reroutes 132 bus to service University Club

DOTS has temporarily altered its Shuttle-UM Route 132 bus route, which services The Varsity apartment complex — and now stops at University Club every 10 minutes.

The bus now turns right on Lakeland Road and circles around to Berwyn House Road, stopping at University Club before continuing on to stop at University View and the front entrance of The Varsity on Route 1. Before this change, University Club residents relied on the Circulator, which stopped near the building every 40 minutes. Several students said the switch is more convenient — and they hope it lasts.

"I think it's better for us because it is so much more convenient," senior biology major Matt Kefauver said. "It takes me right to Stamp, and that's where I need to go. … The Circulator runs all around campus."

The change occurred Nov. 28 because cars parked in several spaces near The Varsity building obstructed the route's typical path, according to Department of Transportation Services Assistant Director Beverly Malone. Although Varsity officials previously restricted cars from parking there, they have now made the spaces available, she said. Varsity representatives could not be reached for comment.

Because of the cars, buses cannot get through and make a circle near the building as they normally do, and consequently, must drop off students going to The Varsity near the sidewalk.

Although DOTS originally anticipated the change would be short-lived, it has persisted longer than officials planned, according to Malone.

"It was expected to be temporary, but it was extended longer than we thought," she said. "From our point of view, at this time it's temporary."

According to Malone, the bus route will "go back to its original posted route" when The Varsity once again allows buses to pass through to the original stop, but sophomore early childhood education major Lauren Higgins said she'd embrace a consistent presence at University Club.

"That would be so perfect," she said.

Although the change did not appear on the DOTS website, Malone said students were given adequate warning of the redirection, noting DOTS tweeted about it and posted signs at the newly designated stop.

"There was tons of signage," she said. "The best way for people to get that information is the sign up for the NextBus."

Several University Club residents, such as Kefauver, said while they were not informed of the change, they welcomed the new route, as it provides frequent service to the campus. University Club officials could not be reached for comment.

"I was in the dark about that," said Kefauver. "I would have absolutely liked to have been alerted. I kind of just, like, caught on."

foley@umdbk.com