Off-campus Greek events are always highly anticipated. That is until the sorority or fraternity is left stranded due to miscommunication with transportation companies.
While many of these events do not face this unfortunate situation, the attendants and their dates are left marooned when it does occur.
Lauren Russell, member of Gamma Phi Beta, said the bus scheduled to pick up members and their dates from a sorority function last year only made one trip back to Oxford, leaving half the sorority stranded at Hueston Woods.
"I was concerned for the people that were left behind," Russell said. "A few people ended carpooling everyone back eventually, but it was a difficult situation."
According to Shandra Ramirez, member of Alpha Omicron Pi, buses were 30 minutes late to pick up the members and their dates Nov. 7 at the Manor House in Mason.
"We were all just standing outside and waiting," Ramirez said.
While the issue of not returning to Oxford from the event is significant, missing the event due to buses arriving late is another problem.
Sigma Pi recently had its semi formal and according to Sigma Pi President Tim Hogan, a lack of organization made the buses an hour late to pick up members and their dates, despite Sigma Pi's constant communication with the company.
"We did not get a refund, but we almost missed the river boat's departure that out semi-formal was being held on," Hogan said.
Hogan was disappointed that these situations are so frequent.
"Unfortunately, it has just become expected that the buses are unreliable," Hogan said. "It is definitely an inconvenience."
Lisa Marrs, National Charter sales manager at FirstGroup America, one of the primary transport operators based out of Cincinnati responsible for many of the buses used for sorority and fraternity transportation, said social chairs and other members involved in planning events should remain in contact with the company right up until the day of the event.
"Transportation is usually the very last thing someone thinks of when they are planning an event," Marrs said. "I would suggest doing a follow up two days prior to the event."
According to Marrs, another crucial aspect of the transportation is the contract.
"The payment, refund and deposit information should be clearly stated in the contract," Marrs said. "All components of the contact should be verified by the event planner before signing. This is especially important because payment is required before the event."
According to Marrs, bus companies attempt to improve their service through a 24-hour charter hotline, checklists for the event planners, direct communication with drivers and a requirement for the drivers to be at the pick up location 15 minutes early.
