10 Questions We All Want To Ask The UH Bus System

If you go to the University of Hertfordshire, you know the struggle when it comes to using public transportation - especially the bus system we have to deal with. Whether you're using the Uno or Arriva bus systems, here are the things we all experience!

If you live in London, you are used to vast modes of transportation and easy ways to get to places. The transportation system is somewhat organised, especially the bus services and the different choices you have, to get to your destination. However, the same can’t be said about the buses in Hatfield, especially the Uno and Arriva buses. It’s a struggle for UH students like me who don’t drive, to go to our destinations without proper planning. It seems to get worse during the colder months. Here are 10 questions we all want to ask the UH Bus system!

Can Arriva buses ever turn up on time?

Arriva buses in UH are not reliable at all. Majority of the time, these buses are always late and sometimes, they end up not having the right tickets for your journey, after all that waiting time. This has happened to me personally, on many occasions, sometimes I end up taking an Uber which costs me 3x the price.

Can UH students get a reasonable student discount on Arriva?

Staff and students at UH usually get a discount on Uno buses, so I think Arriva should jump on the bandwagon. Students can get to the town centre or train station for as little as £1. Arriva buses usually do a day ticket which obviously costs more than buying two singles, but I feel like students should be able to save a bit more.

What’s the point of having an app that doesn’t work properly?

It is really handy to buy tickets on the Uno bus app, just make sure your phone is charged for your return journey. It also saves me from going to the cash machine to get money out. But I have found it difficult to purchase tickets on the Arriva bus mobile app. It always crashes on me and it’s currently sitting on my phone without a purpose.

Why do we have to pay for parking permit? Shouldn’t the £9000 cover it?

Although I don’t drive, a student that lives on College lane, and drives, stated this complaint and said “I thought coming to University was already expensive enough but I still have to pay extra, for parking permit”. “On top of that, I have to pay my insurance, bills, rent etc and my loan doesn’t cover it”. Even though I can’t relate to her complaint about parking permits, I think it is unfair and feel the university should cover some, if not all of the cost. However, she is lucky that she doesn’t have to wait forever for a bus!

Why don’t Uno drivers waste more time chatting with other drivers so I can be late for work?

I totally understand there’d be some sort of delay on journeys like traffic, passenger inquiries, road works etc and it is rude not to say hello to your colleague, but I do feel like most Uno drivers whilst changing drivers, decide to take 5 minutes to have a full blown conversation, whilst they still have a queue of students to attend to.

More parking space on Dehav anytime soon?

There is limited parking on Dehavilland campus as it is much smaller than College Lane. And there aren’t many spaces to park to be honest. The only people allowed to park close to accommodation are students with a disability or any other medical condition that requires them to drive. Students with cars are forced to be on college lane or have to look for alternative accommodation off campus, even if De-hav is their preferred accommodation choice.

Can we have more frequent shuttle services?

UH students will love a frequent service for the park and ride shuttle buses, especially on a night out to the forum. This will probably save us from freezing to death lol.

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Why do drivers hardly have change, especially in the mornings?

Sometimes, £10 is all I have and most Uno drivers never seem to have change. I guess this is due to the increase in students getting mobile tickets as it is more convenient. Although, they have recently started giving out a change voucher to use on your next trip, which doesn’t expire for 6 months. I don’t agree with this idea, assuming I want to use my change to get some street food in a market or something? (I’m a foodie, so I always need my change) or if I was a driver looking to pay my parking ticket.

Why do Uno drivers feel they can arrive at any time?

This usually happens in the evenings, after a long day at work, all I want is a short and stressful journey home, but this seldom happens as the drivers change, a stop before my stop. Seen as I am lazy, especially in this weather, I have to wait for 10 minutes for the king of all drivers to arrive, before I get to my bustop. The walk is usually about 6 minutes to my house, I guess I need to start walking and burn some calories, instead of waiting unnecessarily.

Can all Uno buses be double decker buses?

The buses usually going towards St Albans like the 602 are usually packed. Double decker buses going to popular areas seems like a good idea.