On recent Thursday nights, students have ventured to the off-campus parking lot, Park & Ride, to catch a ride on the new Saddle Ridge Shuttle. The shuttle is popularly known around campus as the “Drunk Bus.”

Saddle Ridge, a “country saloon” on Commercial Street in Rochester, allows students ages 18 and over in the door on Thursday nights.  It is promoted by Fisher alumni Thomas Ricci and Mark Constantino, class of ’06, on Facebook.

Hundreds  of students have been using the shuttle service this year and incidents have been occurring when students under 21 return to campus intoxicated after a night of allegedly drinking at the bar, according to campus officials.

“The College has documented numerous cases of underage persons who have used the shuttle to attend the 18 and over social events at this bar and have returned to campus intoxicated.  They have reported that they were served alcohol at this bar.  The College also has documented the need for medical care by some of these underage persons due to excessive alcohol consumption,” Dean of Students Dr. Rick DeJesus said in a letter to Resident Student Association (RSA) President Teddy Jackson.

In the same letter, DeJesus indicated that the College had met with a Saddle Ridge promoter in charge of the bus to encourage the bar to cease the shuttle’s operation.
However, since New York State owns Park & Ride, the College has little say in the shuttle’s operation.

“Since they are using Park & Ride, which is state-owned, we cannot prohibit it,” Director of Safety and Security Mike McCarthy said.

Administrators are concerned  about the overall impact of the shuttle on the campus community. Students coming off the shuttle intoxicated cause disruption in and around residence halls.

“We’re seeing more noise when [the shuttle] comes back along with public urination and all the things that sort of come with that,” Director of Residential Life Terri Panepento said. “Would we rather it not be there? Probably, because it’s harming our students, the students that are going there underage.”

Student responses have been mixed. Some students refused comment while others commented on the positive presence of the shuttle.

“I’m not quite sure how it effects campus...It may provoke more freshmen to go out, but I don’t think it provokes them to drink. It’s the bar’s responsibility to stop underage drinking, the bus has nothing to do with that,” senior Pat Vanderpool said.
Some see a benefit in the “Drunk Bus” because they believe it cuts down on the temptation to drive drunk.

“Without the bus, there would be more students driving intoxicated and that might result in more accidents and DWIs. Also, some students may not be able to afford a cab, so they will be more tempted to drive drunk,” sophomore Denise Gerken said.

Saddle Ridge representatives were unavailable to comment on the shuttle and its current situation.

ASST. NEWS EDITOR
KYLE HAYES
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LYZ MANCINI
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