Each day the Max C. Lyon Jr. Transit Center is packed with citizens of all varieties; families, individuals, teenagers, workers and university students. This crowded place can be a dangerous one, so students are warned to be cautious when they pass through the transit center while using Fairbanks’s public transportation center.

Lt. Syrilyn Tong of the UAF campus police said, “Just in general, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you, especially in the winter, when the free bus service allows people to joy-ride around.” She also cautions to avoid darkened areas and shrubbery, which are a predator’s favorite places to hide.

“In the past, we’ve had people who’d be joy-riding around, as well as those preying on others, and they may be looking for an easy mark.”
Tong stated, “A lot of people who are drinking use the system and cause us issues, though I’ve never heard of [any] personal issues.” She added, “I don’t want the transit system to seem like it’s completely dangerous. It’s a good system.”

Although most classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks take place on-campus, many students need to take the city bus to and from the Tanana Valley Campus Center or TVCC, where off-campus classes connected to UAF meet.

The bus routes leading from the Wood Center to the Transit Center downtown benefit students who have no other means of transportation.

The transit center on Cushman Ave. is within walking distance of the TVCC, and three of its bus routes lead straight to UAF. Group brawls are a common occurrence at the Transit Center.

“I’m surprised that they don’t have security guards,” said Gladys Luke, a user of the bus routes, as she surveyed the brawl occurring directly in front of the Blue Line transit.

According to Charmange Alder, a user of the transit center, security guards are frequent during the summer.

When asked whether or not there were police guarding the area any other time, Luke answered, “Very seldom.” Then, in response to the question of whether we should have greater security around the transit center, she replied, “Oh yeah.”

Tong wants to assure the public that the system does not entirely consist of predators; this is a risk of using any public transportation.
“[The transit system] is beneficial to the public,” Tong said.