School is back in session, and it didn’t take long for the university and the Student Government Association to join together and ruin a good idea.

Western students out for a stiff drink this semester probably noticed their old Provide-A-Ride key chains aren’t working anymore. After one two many Bud Lights, students who picked up their cell phones hoping to get a free cab ride were left disappointed

The service had been cancelled.

Provide-A-Ride, one of the few SGA created services that students actually used, is now defunct.

Instead, a new shuttle system is offered. This shuttle runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

It’s not a bad idea. Students can be picked up and dropped off at academic buildings, movie theaters and bars.

It is a step in the right direction since Bowling Green doesn’t have its own public transportation system. But here’s the problem – the new shuttle system leaves out a few important groups.

First, off-campus students don’t have a way to get home now. The only stops planned are near or on-campus. And the only apartment complex it stops at is the Gables on Creason Street.

Second, international students are left completely out of the picture. In the past, the shuttle ran throughout the day allowing international students who didn’t have a car a way off campus. Now, they have to wait until dusk just to go to Wal-Mart.

We know the university and SGA had good intentions, but this intention wasn’t fully examined.

We suggest SGA members dig into their $90,000 budget and find another $13,000 to keep Provide-A-Ride up and running. We know it’ll cut into flower planting and gazebo building money, but hey, this is a program that students used and frankly, students need.

In the mean time, while you calculate your budgets, we suggest publicizing the new shuttle routes like there’s no tomorrow.

Give students cards to carry in their wallets that list the new stops and times. If they can’t call a cab, at least they know where to walk to catch a free ride.

Also, make sure the new hours are posted in dorms and academic buildings.

Lastly, the group of people who used Provide-a-Ride the most were those hitting the local bars on weekends. Ask bar owners to post the hours and to have bartenders recommend students use the service if they’ve had one too many Coronas.

Still, the new service alone isn’t enough.

SGA President Jamie Sears should get out her calculator, crunch some numbers and bring back Provide-A-Ride.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 11-member board of student editors.