It takes minimal effort to get on or off a Wolfline bus without having noticed the driver. As they focus on driving safely and stopping when requested, students tune their thoughts to their iPods, homework they may — or may not — have completed and where on the overcrowded bus it would be least awkward to look.

But anyone who has taken the time to initiate a conversation with one of the bus drivers knows, with a few exceptions, the drivers are very willing to chat and oftentimes have stories of their own.

Chris Hazelrigs, a driver of Southeast Loop and Fraternity Court, said though some Wolfline drivers have taken the job in order to help pay their way through college, most choose to because they enjoy driving the buses.

“Everyday is different. It never really gets boring,” Hazelrigs said.

According to Hazelrigs, the drivers’ primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the bus riders at all times, regardless of where pedestrians cross the road and how other drivers decide to navigate their cars.

ÒItÕs not all pretty, itÕs not all easy. It may look easy cause itÕs driving, but driving is a hectic job professionally,Ó John Bullock, a driver of one Southeast Loop bus, said about driving the route.

During the weekdays, the greatest threats to the busesÕ safety are outside influences, such as traffic.

Ã’It seems like cars say, ÔThere’s a Wolfline, let’s go do something crazy,ÕÓ Bullock said.

According to Bullock, cars often tend to pull out in front of the buses. This happens frequently at the bus stop in front of Tompkins Hall, as drivers will cut off the bus from the left lane as both are turning right.

ÒThey donÕt give the bus system a whole lot of the respect that is deserved,Ó Bullock said.

Abdallah Idir, who has recently moved from Morocco to get his Bachelor of Arts, is another driver of the Southeast Loop route. He agreed average drivers are a principle risk to the busÕs safety.

Because the routes span farther than the less than tranquil on-campus roads, bus drivers must be wary of larger and more congested roads, such as Avent Ferry Road, Morrill Drive and Western Boulevard, Idir said.

However, hazardous conditions cannot be exclusively attributed to other drivers.

According to Bullock, Centennial Campus accommodates not only engineering students, but also wildlife that have been driven into the newly developed areas due to the diminished size of the woods.

ÒOne night I was driving and I was coming out of the Centennial parking lot, and there was a deer, a gray fox and a raccoon just standing there on the corner. They were standing there like they were waiting on a bus,Ó Bullock said.

Many of the Wolfline drivers ensure their passengers more than just safety and a successful ride.

“Sometimes people will not be feeling good, for whatever reason, and they may be looking kind of rough… but you just say ‘Hey, how’s it going,’ and you just cook up a conversation,” Bullock said.

Miguel Quiro, a driver of one of the Werewolf route buses, said he experiences a different variety of situations. Though he now drives the bus only on weeknights, he once drove the route during the weekend. In the course of a normal weekend, Quiro said he would witness rowdy students who would frequently use the bus as a means to get from one party to another.

“It’s like a soap opera at times,Ó Quiro said.

Though he would notice the partyÕs aftereffects on the passengers, they would forget to notice him, and would blatantly — and loudly — display their emotions.

“There were two kids arguing about something, and they’d call each other names. You know, one would scream at the other one, and the other one would do the same thing,” Quiro said. “As we were approaching their destination, everything had changed. They were making up and hugging each other, and saying how much they loved each other.”

Despite the occasional disorder on the buses, the driversÕ main interest rests upon the safety of both their passengers and themselves. For this reason, they must be extremely cautious at all times.

“[Driving] is sort of dangerous. You have to be very, very careful,” Quiro said. “The drivers are crazy, but it’s not only students.”

Luckily, the most common inconvenience experienced by passengers lies only in the fact that the buses are often overcrowded. With a spot-free driving record, the drivers can be ensured that their future employment security and personal conscience stay intact.

“I have not been in an accident, thank God,” Quiro said. “I make a living out of driving, and because of that I have to be very careful.”