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Diné daily bus runs launch April 16

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April 16, Diné College started two bus routes, one from Shiprock, N.M., to Tsaile and another from Rock Point, Ariz., to Tsaile, via Round Rock, Many Farms, and Chinle.

“We decided to start a pilot busing program for the rest of the semester,” Bo Lewis, vice president of finance at Diné College, said.

“Based on the results from the pilot program, we’ll make a decision on whether to make it a permanent program or not—or even to charge a fee,” Lewis said. “We will have exempt employees be the drivers and it will be open to students as well as employees. The valid employee ID’s will be required to use the busing program.”

Prior to the start of making the bus program official, human resources director Merle Dayzie volunteered to drive the 15-seater silver Chevrolet College Passenger van from Shiprock to Tsaile—which is typically around 60 miles and takes close to an hour to arrive. The drive covers parts of U.S. 491 leaving Shiprock and passes along Route 13 as it goes through Red Valley and Cove, Ariz.

Dayzie said a couple of things he plans to monitor are ridership and popular pick-up points, saying an advantage for students is getting to Tsaile to take classes that aren’t sometimes offered at the Shiprock campus of Diné College.

According to a recent Diné College transportation survey, roughly 63 percent of students spend 30-minutes or more commuting to the Tsaile campus.

• The van Departs from Shiprock’s North Campus for Tsaile at 7:45 am, arriving approximately at 9:15 am at the Tsaile Campus (NHC).

• The van departs from Tsaile Campus (NHC) at 3:45 pm, arriving approximately at 5:15 pm at the Shiprock North Campus.

The test run bus schedule:

• 7:45 am Depart from Shiprock North Campus.

•  8:00 am Arrive at Junction (U.S. 491 and Rt. 13).

• 8:10 am Depart from Junction.

• 8:35 am Arrive at Red Valley Store.

• 8:45 am Depart from Red Valley Store.

• 9:05 am Arrive at Lukachukai Store.

• 9:15 am Depart from Lukachukai Store.

• 9:30 am Arrive at Tsaile Campus (NHC Building).

Note: Must have a valid Diné College-issued ID to get on the van. The pilot run will be up until the end of the semester.

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