Spring Break
One in a (couple) million
Allison Stice
Issue date: 5/12/07 Section: News
It was a humid, gray Thursday morning, but at the bus stop by Stamp Student Union, the sky was clouded with balloons of every color. There, more than a dozen Transportation Services staff members milled around in anticipation, poised with noisemakers and silly string. The tension was palpable.
By radio, word came that the rider they were waiting for had boarded the 7:15 a.m. bus. Finally, at 8:05 a.m., the bus arrived.
"It's the Greenbelt line, which is a good one," said Transportation Services Director David Allen, cell phone and radio in hand. "That's a hardcore commuter one."
When the doors opened, the employees began counting the passengers as a video camera rolled. Eight riders emerged, and then, finally, there was lucky number nine.
John Choi appeared in the bus's doorway, and the Transportation Services crowd burst into hoots and applause, covering his hair with confetti. The junior journalism major stood stone-faced for several seconds.
Then, calmly, he removed his headphones and smiled.
Choi was a milestone for Shuttle-UM: He was the 2-millionth rider this fiscal year. It was the first time Shuttle-UM has had that many riders in one year. When he stepped onto the sidewalk, Allen presented him with his first prize: the cell phone number for the chauffeur who will drive him around for a week in a sleek black car with tinted windows.
"I was actually late for the bus today," Choi said with a grin. "I saw it coming from a quarter mile down the road, and I had to run hard to catch it."
Choi, who rides the bus about twice a week, said he had no idea there was a prize for the 2-millionth rider. He said he had heard the driver saying something unusual on the radio, but brushed it off when he took his seat.
In addition to the car service, Choi received a prize package from Flexcar that included T-shirts and trinkets, 50 free hours and a lifetime membership, as well as a new Schwinn mountain bike, lock and helmet.
"I've actually been looking for a new bike!" Choi said as he brushed confetti from his hair.
"Look at this, we're down to two million and it's you. It's like winning the lottery," Allen said.
Choi, late for class, rushed down the street, accompanied by a cacophony of noisemakers. The Transportation Services welcome wagon slowly dispersed in a cloud of silly string, leaving behind the balloons and confetti to commemorate the historic day.
Contact reporter Allison Stice at sticedbk@gmail.com.
By radio, word came that the rider they were waiting for had boarded the 7:15 a.m. bus. Finally, at 8:05 a.m., the bus arrived.
"It's the Greenbelt line, which is a good one," said Transportation Services Director David Allen, cell phone and radio in hand. "That's a hardcore commuter one."
When the doors opened, the employees began counting the passengers as a video camera rolled. Eight riders emerged, and then, finally, there was lucky number nine.
John Choi appeared in the bus's doorway, and the Transportation Services crowd burst into hoots and applause, covering his hair with confetti. The junior journalism major stood stone-faced for several seconds.
Then, calmly, he removed his headphones and smiled.
Choi was a milestone for Shuttle-UM: He was the 2-millionth rider this fiscal year. It was the first time Shuttle-UM has had that many riders in one year. When he stepped onto the sidewalk, Allen presented him with his first prize: the cell phone number for the chauffeur who will drive him around for a week in a sleek black car with tinted windows.
"I was actually late for the bus today," Choi said with a grin. "I saw it coming from a quarter mile down the road, and I had to run hard to catch it."
Choi, who rides the bus about twice a week, said he had no idea there was a prize for the 2-millionth rider. He said he had heard the driver saying something unusual on the radio, but brushed it off when he took his seat.
In addition to the car service, Choi received a prize package from Flexcar that included T-shirts and trinkets, 50 free hours and a lifetime membership, as well as a new Schwinn mountain bike, lock and helmet.
"I've actually been looking for a new bike!" Choi said as he brushed confetti from his hair.
"Look at this, we're down to two million and it's you. It's like winning the lottery," Allen said.
Choi, late for class, rushed down the street, accompanied by a cacophony of noisemakers. The Transportation Services welcome wagon slowly dispersed in a cloud of silly string, leaving behind the balloons and confetti to commemorate the historic day.
Contact reporter Allison Stice at sticedbk@gmail.com.
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
m
posted 5/12/07 @ 7:28 AM EST
i'm glad that instead of putting more resources into things we need, like NITE Ride, David Allen thinks that throwing money away for a private driver is necessary. (Continued…)
Post a Comment