Whenever I travel to a large city, the locals are astounded that I am not accustomed to using public transportation. I kindly explain to them that in my hometown, everyone has a car so public transportation is unnecessary. Or is it?

I have found that in Wichita, if given the perfect opportunity to use public transportation, people don’t use it. Wichita State realizes there is a parking problem. They get it. They found reasonable solutions to this problem by creating a public transportation system on campus.

Surprisingly, many students that I have heard complain about their traumatizing parking stories are perplexed when I ask them about using the shuttle bus. They twiddle their thumbs at the idea of using public transportation.

So, I have come to the conclusion that Wichita, in general, has bus-o-phobia. I think some of us fear the bus experience. I am here to tell you riding buses is a very enjoyable experience.

Yes, you may have to be in close proximity with other human beings and you may have to take initiative to remember when to get off, but other than that riding the bus has great benefits for the campus and the city.

If you are like me, you dread the summer months because that means every time I get in my car I lose a couple pounds in sweat. The bus has air conditioning and heating. I don’t have to impatiently sit in my car finding a parking spot, melting away before my first class.

Also, riding the bus could reduce your carbon footprint and as college students we are all about saving the ozone layer. How many of us are guilty of not carpooling to school?

I think if students take more initiative to ride the bus while in college, the city of Wichita might catch on that this bus thing is pretty beneficial.

I believe Wichita needs to catch up with the times and the needs of an increasing population. As parking becomes scarce and gas prices continue to rise, buses are the way of the future in Wichita.

If you suffer from “bus-o-phobia,” there are people that can help you at the counseling and testing center on the third floor of Grace Wilkie Hall. Just don’t tell them I sent you.