Wolfline - Frquently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Service Questions
Information Questions
Q: How can I receive up to date info on detours for the Wolfline?
When there is a change in service we post up-to-date information on our Web site, under the "News and Announcements" heading. The great way to get info on route changes or detours is through the Wolfline listserv. To join is easy. Join now. The quickest way to get up to the minute information about the Wolfline is to check out TVS website, Text, or Mobile. This function gives a map of the particular bus route you are interested in along with any Announcements all at your fingertips.
Q: Does the Wolfline offer transportation to NC State Athletic Events?
Route 6 Carter Finley runs to Carter-Finley Stadium every 10 minutes, during peak times and every 15 minutes off-peak times, on days that school and exams are in session. Werewolf B Night Service covers this route in the evening.
Information regarding additional service:
NCSU Transportation's transit budget does not allow us to provide transportation to athletic events, however we are pleased to announce Red Terror Transit service which is sponsored and funded by the Student Government Association. Red Terror Transit provides service to and from Home Football games. Schedules are updated and posted on the main Wolfline page accordingly. To get details on chartering Wolfline vehicles for University affiliated events, call the Wolfline Transit Manager 513-7400.
Q: How can I figure out when the bus comes to my stop?
The bus route timetables (fall-spring) are on our Web site or on the individual route cards found on the buses.
Take a look at a timetable. You'll see that space does not permit the listing of departure times for every stop on the timetable. The timetable picks 3 - 5 bus stops on each route, and lists bus departure times for each of these stops. These bus stops named on the timetables are called time points. They are shown with a Wolfpack red circle on the route maps. The rest of the bus stops are shown with a solid black circle on the route maps.
To find out when the bus leaves from your particular stop, look at the map and note the two closest time points on either side of your bus stop. Note the departure time listed for these time points. Then estimate when the bus will get to your stop, based on where your stop is located between those two time points.
Any departure time for a stop in between two time points must be estimated. For example: The Avent Ferry route stops a DH Hill at 7:25AM and then the next time point is at 7:30 AM at Carmichael Gym. The bus would pickup at an in between stop, for instance, Brooks Hall, after 7:25 but before 7:30. Therefore, to be sure to catch the bus you may want to begin waiting at 7:25 AM and expect it to arrive a couple minutes later.
You can also use the Transit
Visualization System™ (TVS) to see the location of your bus in "real time"! You can use the slide on the right side of the page to zoom in and out on the map. To move the map across the page, just click, hold, and drag it right, left, up, or down.
People with low vision or blindness are encouraged to call NCSU Transportation at 919-515-3424 for assistance in utilitizing the transit visualization system (TVS) which provides real-time bus locations along all Wolfline routes.
Q: Who can ride the Wolfline?
The Wolfline is open to the public.
Q: What if I am not satisfied with the bus service?
We try to offer the best service possible. We are constantly striving to improve service and your feedback is a very important part of that. To let us know of any service concerns or deficiencies, you can go to the Feedback link on our website or call 515-WOLF to leave a message.
Q: Do you really take my complaints seriously?
We take your complaints and suggestions very seriously. We take pride in the Wolfline and want it to operate safely and efficiently. We endeavor to make wise use of the funds allotted to us to organize and run the service. Therefore, we work diligently to investigate matters and make adjustments in service where possible. You will find that you will receive a response within 48 hours. Please don't hesitate to inform us of any transit issues.
Q: Why doesn't the Wolfline come to my apartment complex when it's so close to campus?
The transit fee in the tuition pays for:
- Transportation around Main Campus once you are here
- Transportation to and from our park & ride lots
- Transportation to and from official University housing (such as Avent Ferry Complex or ES King Village)
- Transportation to and from outlying campuses like Centennial Biomedical Campus (formerly known as the Vet School) and Centennial Campus
Unless non-NCSU apartments are located on the way to or from these areas, they do not receive Wolfline service. Any decision to change the scope of the Wolfline would involve the Student, Staff and Faculty Senates and related committees as well as the Board of Trustees. It would involve, among other issues, a significant increase in tuition. This kind of service would also, of course, have to be added in a way that is equitable to all stakeholders. Unless they are functioning as listed in Nos. 1 - 4 above, buses currently do not go more than a mile from campus.
So folks that live on the way to and from any of our destinations get the equivalent of municipal bus service. The only buses that go farther out are the routes serving Avent Ferry complex and Centennial Campus. They go as far as necessary to provide a safe turnaround for a 40' vehicle.
We also do our best to coordinate with & inform the CAT system to better serve the population outside of the Wolfline service area.
Q: Can another bus be added to my route to cut down on full buses?
A full bus is defined as one which is at maximum capicity including standing room only. The average 40' bus has a capacity of apx. 65 passengers and a 30' bus has a capacity of apx. 45 passengers.
Student tuition fees fund 80% of the Wolfline service. Adding a bus means raising the part of the student fees that are used for transit. We try hard to make the wisest use of the money the Student Senate votes to give us to run the system. We try to adjust or shift service resources, rather then add vehicles. But if enrollment statistics or our passenger counts indicate a problem that minor adjustments will not fix, we will go to the Student Senate and ask for an increase in order to buy a new vehicle to keep up with the population growth in the campus community.
The costs of minimal service additions are absorbed by NCSUDOT whenever possible. For example, in the 2001/2002 Fall semester, we began running one of the Avent Ferry buses until 8 PM because of over-crowding on Werewolf Rt. A. This small service addition has improved the situation. Sometimes, adding service is not the answer.
Crowding in one part of the service area is sometimes caused by traffic jams in another part of the service area. In this case, adding vehicles only makes the situation worse. In this case, our road supervisors communicate with the drivers by radio, and adjust the spacing of buses whenever possible to provide even service across our service area.
Q: How do I pursue a change in the Wolfline service?
Call 515-WOLF, or email the Wolfline via our website. If we can, we will make the change you desire and if not, we will also let you know. The Student Senate votes on major changes or additions to our service, such as adding a vehicle, so it is wise to advocate for what you want to your student senator.
Q: What if I miss the bus?
It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with all the Wolfline routes running near your stop. We say this, because often, there is another Wolfline route you could take and save yourself time. For example, all together, there are 12 buses per hour running to campus from inside or immediately outside the Varsity Parking Lot. If it is late at night, the buses run every 40 minutes. If you have just missed the bus, and you are in an isolated area, it may be in your best interest to call Campus Police. They can give you an escort if you are on one of the NCSU campuses.
Q: Does the Wolfline run on the weekends?
Yes. Werewolf weekend service runs in the weekend evenings except around student holidays or break period. See # 3 below.
There are four types of Wolfline service:
- Day service: 7 AM - 6 PM (approx.) on days when classes or exams are held.
- Route 3 Engineering, Route 6 Vet School and Route 7 Wolflink Shuttle run every day that staff and faculty report to work.
- Werewolf Service: This night service operates every day that classes or exams are in session. Check timetables for exact times. It is also a 7-night per week late night and weekend service that begins at 6:40 PM on Saturday and 6:00 PM onSunday. It runs until a little past 1:30 AM Sun. - Wed. and a little past 2:15 AM Thurs. - Sat. Late night service that does not help students get to class is funded 100% by the student activity fee.
Q: Can I get off the bus somewhere other than a posted stop?
No. We place Wolfline stops with safety in mind. To insure the safety of the riders, pedestrians and automobile drivers, the buses can only stop at posted stops. It is especially dangerous to run after and attempt to flag down a bus that has left a stop to merge with other traffic. Buses provide limited rear view vision to the driver. Urging a driver to stop after the bus is moving is especially hazardous. Stopping at a non-posted stop also increases the travel time and therefore the likelihood that route will not stay on schedule.
Q: What accessibility features do the buses offer?
All our buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Q: Are there any mandatory stops (don't need to signal driver)?
There are no mandatory stops on any of the Wolfline routes. You must signal the driver for the bus to make a stop. To signal the driver, pull the cord located above the seat of the bus to activate Stop Requested; if the cord is malfunctioning ask the driver "Next stop please."
Q: May I choose where to exit the bus (i.e. the front or rear)?
For safety considerations, you should exit through the rear door. Your driver may ask you to exit out a particular door once in awhile due to a mechanical problem, or a safety concern outside the vehicle. If this occurs, we ask you to cooperate with your bus driver.
Q: What do I do if I left something on the bus?
Call 861-6960. This is the number of First Transit, our bus service provider. They will do their best to locate it for you.
Q: What is the coverage of the Wolfline?
The Wolfline covers an area of apx. 9 square miles in and around NC State campus.
Q: How much does it cost to run the Wolfline?
The projected budget for 2006/2007 Fall, Spring and Summer semesters is approximately $3,335,225. With the exception of the Werewolf service, the students transit fee pays for 80% of this amount. This 80% is applied strictly to the $3,335,225 operational budget. The Werewolf service (night service beginning one hour after evening classes have ended and on the weekends) is funded 100% by students. NCSU staff salaries, Wolfline signage and Wolfline amenities, such as bus shelters and benches come from of the overall Transportation Dept. budget and are not paid for by the student fee.
Q: Can my group charter a Wolfline bus?
Yes, you can charter a bus for University affiliated events only. NCSU contracts out the actual operation of the buses to a national transit service provider company. We recommend them as your first option when investigating chartering of buses for your event. Currently our national transit service provider is First Transit. Contact information is as follows: Ben Goldstein @ 861-6960 or call the Transit Manager at 513-7400.
Q: How can I get a part-time job with the Wolfline?
When you work for the Wolfline, you work for the national transit service provider company that the University hires to run the Wolfline. Call First Transit directly at 861-6960.
Q: What are future plans for the Wolfline to offer better service?
(Not in order of priority), Wolfline is investigating:
- Consolidating our service with other public transit service in the region to enable us to provide more service.
- We plan to add more benches and shelters.
- Optimizing routes.
For more information on transit on campus, contact:
Wolfline Manager (e-mail)
or Call 515-WOLF
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