Cambus spending shows UI's displaced priorities

A March 19 article discussed the possibility of a new high-tech tracking system being installed for the Cambus service at the University of Iowa. The article reported estimated costs for the university to be $125,000 upfront, plus another $50,000 annually for operation. The article also quoted Brian McClatchey, manager of the UI's Cambus system, as saying, “In this day and age, this kind of technology is expected by people, especially in this community.”

Call me crazy, but do you know what I expect? Responsibility. During a time of massive budget cuts, how can the university justify spending hundreds of thousands of dollars so that somebody can get on their cell phone to see where one of the buses is at?

I ride the Cambus regularly. Does it stink when one of the buses is late? Sure it does. You know what else stinks? The fact that tuition is going to increase again next year, as is the cost of room and board. Better yet, this matter revolves around the issue of buses being on time. I'm failing to see how one penny of the initial $125,000 is going to make buses run on time. Can you say irresponsible spending?

But hey, at least I'll know where the Cambus is.

Ben Schuff

Iowa City