As noted in an editorial last week, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District’s bus service is something we students truly appreciate. There are a variety of buses that run daily and to many different locations both on and off campus that make our commutes to classes and jobs that much easier. These buses come in great frequency and are especially beneficial in these cold winter months or late at night when walking alone isn’t safe.

However, that being said, we need to feel safe on these buses as well — the services of CUMTD need to extend beyond just travel convenience. The Daily Illini reported today that on Feb. 25, a woman was struck by a CUMTD bus on the corner of Logan and Walnut Street in downtown Champaign as she was crossing the street. Unfortunately, this woman’s legs were very badly injured in the incident.

The case is still under investigation, but what is known is that the camera in the bus was not working, leaving no footage from CUMTD to help with this case. The fact of the matter is that safety between buses and pedestrians is essential. And from what it sounds like, the bus service is not completely holding up their end of the bargain.

Seth Stevens, the driver involved in the crash, was also involved in another pedestrian accident last year. This, paired with the fact that CUMTD did not make sure their cameras were operating effectively, interferes with the concept of upholding a safe and reliable service. Apparently, cameras are not considered a safety feature by CUMTD, but it is clear that should be changed.

Students should be able to feel confident in the service regardless of what bus they board, and the mistakes we’re witnessing are not ensuring that comfort.

Since the investigation is still ongoing, some details are still being ironed out. The victim is said to have been at a designated crosswalk and saw no bus coming, and she also was not using her phone at the time. Regardless of some of the unknowns of the case, it introduces an important learning opportunity for people on this campus.

Considering we frequent the streets and sidewalks near CUMTD routes, we have seen first-hand that pedestrians aren’t always mindful of crossing the streets at appropriate intersections or when buses are coming. And while cars and buses might not always yield to pedestrians when they’re supposed to, as humans, we have no hope of defeating a bus or car if we cross the street at a poor time.

This universal truth is something both students and drivers need to remain mindful of.

Accidents happen every day, unfortunately, but making smart walking choices in conjunction with making sure these buses uphold appropriate and extensive safety regulations can ensure that safety is being recognized as a two-way street.