Title: A Needs Analysis: Accessibility and Safety as Factors of Transportation in Relation to the

Increase of Enrollees in BSU-SC

Researcher: Henreitta D. Miranda – BSU Sarmiento Campus

Abstract

Bulacan State University is a home for more three thousands students. The number of enrollees

had exponentially increased since it was established last 1998. The students come from all walks of life

and different places. Though most of them come from the nearby barangay such as Kaypian, Guijo, Nar-

ra, San Jose, Muzon there are still a lot of them who are from another municipalities such as Caloocan,

Norzagaray and even Quezon City. The students really had to spend time and effort just to reach their

school which is situated at the heart of an exclusive subdivision which is Sarmiento Heights.

Thus, the only mode of transportation is the well-known tricycle, which seems to be the second

most popular form of transportation here in the Philippines. This three-wheeled motor operated vehicle

ideally can only accommodate 2 passengers, which seems to lack appeal to collegiate students as most

of them prefer to travel in group to show comradery. The tendency for these students is to ride the tri-

cycle even if there are too many of them. Some of them, specially the boys, try to hang at the back of

the tricycle or ride just next to the driver. A trip can carry 6 to 7 students which heighten the risk of fall-

ing and accidents.

Another reason the researcher wants to emphasize in her research is the availability of transpor-

tation. These tricycles are mostly available at day time. Myriads of them wait for students on a good

weather condition. However, the dilemma starts when the weather condition is not so good such as

rainy days and when it is already very late. Most schedules of students end at 8pm, which therefore

elevates the risk of students who are going home late further more on a stormy or rainy condition.

Hence, what the students do, is to walk from school to San Jose or to Starmall which is approximately 1

and a half kilometers. In addition, the students have to pass by a private area that is not occupied by

residents. They have to walk along a pavement with no street lights and no security.

With the above stated reasons that show the risks and dangers on the mode of transportation

for students, these do not appeal to potential enrollees who are very much concerned of the accessibil-

ity and safety. The researcher therefore found a very plausible solution for this problem, an accredited

school transportation.
 Similar solution was undertaken by Tarlac State University, where in the school has accredited

mini buses to transport the students from one campus to another. This type of transportation ensures

that students can travel from one campus to another with extra sense of safety. The fare is also regulat-

ed by the campus.

This research is deemed essential by the researcher to address the problem of the BSU-SC stu-

dents in terms of transportation. It will not only ensure that students can secure transportation on im-

portant days, it can also attract more enrollees for BSU-SC.