NCCU Students Rely on City Bus System

The Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) offers a bus fare discount to N.C. Central University students. Route 5 is free for NCCU students with a student ID. Otherwise, the bus fare is $1.

Many students travel on DATA buses to get to their jobs off campus, and to take care of important business.

“There’s no reliable transportation system at NCCU besides the shuttle buses that transport students around campus,” said Denea Crowell, an NCCU junior who is studying political science.

Route 5 includes Fayetteville Street, which is a main street in Durham that passes by the university. Several bus stops are along NCCU’s campus.

“It comes everyday!” Crowell said. “You can’t beat that.”

Nzinga Watts-Harper, a sophomore at NCCU, also rides the city bus.

“My mother encouraged me to ride the DATA bus when I didn’t have any transportation, she told me to stop being so bourgeois,” she said.

She said every student can’t afford a car, and some do not have a driver’s license.

“A lot of my friends drive,” said Harper. “I just like the feeling of independency.”

She said depending on someone with a car may be difficult for students, especially since schedules may conflict.

“I have ridden the DATA bus if I absolutely had no other way to get to work,” said Harper. “I take Route 5 to Southpoint Mall.”

She said the bus schedule is extremely important. Many buses run Monday through Saturday, starting at 6 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. Bus service is not always offered on Sundays and holidays.

“I have had no troubles while riding the DATA,” said Harper. “It has taught me to value and appreciate guaranteed transportation. I can honestly say that riding the bus has humbled me.”

Crowell said she would like to see “the DATA bus expand our privileges.”

“It would be extremely helpful if it was free to ride other buses for free as well,” she said.

CAPTION: N.C. Central students Kevohn McCormick and Jasmine Holeman wait for the bus.