Primp my ride: University shuttle buses get makeovers

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/newshuttles2012.jpg” caption=”The University unveiled its new shuttle buses Wednesday outside Gilmour Hall. The buses feature McMaster-themed graphics on their exteriors and completely redesigned interiors. They also run on clean diesel. Photo by Andrew Baulcomb.”]After six months of research and design modifications, McMaster's new shuttle buses
are ready to roll.

The vehicles were officially unveiled Wednesday morning outside Gilmour Hall, and
feature entirely redesigned interiors and brand new McMaster-themed graphics on their
exteriors.

“These buses are a major improvement on our old ones,” said Terry Sullivan, director of
security and parking services. “We're thrilled to have them in operation.”

The buses were manufactured by International Harvester and are powered by a type of
clean diesel, explained Sullivan. The new fuel system results in fewer pollutants than the
old models, some of which dated back to the year 2000 or earlier.

Environmental responsibility has been a key focus of the shuttle bus program for many
years, said Sullivan.

When the shuttle route first opened, the old buses looped around to Gilmour Hall and
stopped at various points around campus before heading to the auxiliary parking lot.

In 2005 the number of stops was reduced to two, which resulted in fewer kilometres
traveled, less fuel burned and less engine idling.

The new models will continue to operate in a single loop between Mary Keyes Residence
and Lot M across from Cootes Drive.

The buses' interior walls are flanked by individual seats instead of long benches, leaving
more room and maneuverability for standing passengers.

The supplier of the vehicles, First Student Canada, funded custom graphics that wrap the bus. The graphics were designed by Steve Janzen from
McMaster's Media Production Services. One visual theme focuses on student life and
athletics, while the other touches on learning, innovation and research.

Each wrap took roughly 10 hours to design.

Once completed, the designs were transferred onto the massive, mobile canvases – a
technique often used by advertisers on city buses.

“I've worked on large posters before, but never a bus or anything close to this size,” said
Janzen. “It's nice to finally see them at that scale, after staring at the designs on a
computer monitor for so long.”

The shuttles are now in rotation, but incoming students and their families will get a
first-hand look at the new buses during “May @ Mac,” which kicks-off on May 12 at 9
a.m.