The university has commented on the cancellation of the Rowancroft to Streatham coach service.
The service, which connected the St. Luke’s-adjacent accommodation and Streatham campus, closed this academic year.
A University spokesperson stated: “For a short period the university operated a coach service between Rowancroft and the Streatham campus.
“This academic year there are fewer students living in Rowancroft who are studying at Streatham, and the service was not heavily used last year, so after careful consideration the service is not now running.
“This decision was highlighted to this year’s Rowancroft students via the accommodation website ahead of students applying for their 2019/20 accommodation.
after careful consideration the service is not now running
University of Exeter spokesperson
“Anyone with concerns should email residencescontractsmanager@exeter.ac.uk”.
Erica Harris, a former Rowancroft resident, differed from the University’s judgement that the service was “not heavily used”. She told Exeposé, “I used it at least twice every week.”
“[I]n term one on a Thursday on the 7:45 coach the whole coach would be full.”
A student of St. Luke’s, Isabelle Barclay, noted the service’s importance: “When I lived there, I used it 2/3 times a week.”
“The bus was the only reason I went to my 8:30s.”
Elinor Jones, another St. Luke’s student, likewise spoke to the frequency of its use: “I got the 8:30am one regularly … it was always quite busy.”
having four lectures a week at Streatham in first year wouldn’t have been possible if I had to walk 35 minutes every morning
Elinor Jones, St Luke’s student
Jones further noted: “With many first years having 8:30am lectures at Streatham, getting the bus was a necessity – having four lectures a week at Streatham in first year wouldn’t have been possible if I had to walk the 35 minutes every morning.”
A current Heavitree resident, Max Davies, has used the coach in previous years. Inquiring this year, he was informed by the Student Information Desk that an alternative was to walk. He was also directed towards the £250 Stagecoach student pass.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the public bus service from near St. Luke’s takes over double the time of the coach.
The move raises more questions in light of the recent assault of a student on St. German’s Road; a recent petition calling for “a night time shuttle bus to halls”, among other safety measures, has garnered over 5000 signatures.
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Editors: Emma Hussain and Harry Caton
