First two photos by Robert Hubner, WSU News Center. Other photos by Dean Hare, Moscow Pullman Daily News
Pullman unveils 'Cougar-Sighting' bus design
Up to 18 city buses will display the university logo in future
Up to 18 city buses will display the university logo in future
From Moscow Pullman Daily News 10/17/2011
In the coming months, Pullman residents will be seeing more crimson and gray than they're used to.
The first of up to 18 Cougar-themed transit buses was unveiled Saturday morning at Washington State University, with President Elson S. Floyd calling the new design "a reflection of our partnership between WSU and Pullman" while the school's marching band performed on Stadium Way.
The university will used money from trademark fees and sales of licensed goods for the "Cougar-Sighting" project, through which much of Pullman's current fleet of transit buses will be covered with the school's dark crimson logo and spirit graphics for the next three to five years. A bright-eyed cougar stares from the side of the vehicle, which is dotted with phrases like "Go Cougs."
"They'll love it," transit system manager Rod Thornton said of the Pullman community. "It's definitely a unique look. I can't imagine people not liking it."
The city's transit system itself represents the Pullman-WSU working relationship, Thornton said, since 85 percent of Pullman's ridership is made up of WSU students and staff, who Thornton said do a lot to contribute to the 1.5 million annual trips made by city buses.
"WSU helps to fund our operations; we probably wouldn't exist if there wasn't a college here," Thornton said of his department. "College towns and transit systems go hand in hand."
Receptive crowd
The crowd of more than 100 homecoming celebrators who arrived at WSU's Cougar Pride statue for Saturday's unveiling seemed impressed by the display.
Doug and Chrisanne Lawrenson of Bellevue said there should be similar projects throughout the state.
"All of the satellite campuses should have this," Chrisanne said. "A lot of (WSU) students for financial or other reasons don't come to Pullman, but they still have ties to the school."
Neil Arnold from Snohomish agreed. He commended Floyd for further integrating the university with its surrounding community, and he hoped that the idea would spread.
"Especially on the west side, we need to do something to fight the purple peril," Arnold said, referring to the University of Washington in Seattle.
Damen Rodriguez, assistant to the director of WSU parking, was more focused on Saturday's Homecoming game against Stanford. He said the new transit bus logo should "reinvigorate Cougar pride" in Pullman.
"It puts a little more energy in the air for a victory today," Rodriguez said.
Arnold shared Rodriguez' confidence.
Although the undefeated Stanford team is ranked highly in the nation, Arnold said, "They're only No. 2 in Pullman."
He and his family and friends waved to the Cougar-themed bus as it drove down Stadium Way, then turned their attention to the rest of their day. The group comes to every home game in Pullman, but they said homecoming weekend is more fun and festive.
"We'll be buying Cougar Gold, eating chili and going to the game," Arnold said.
WSU lost 44-14.
WSU’s Pullman Transit bus design debuts
In the coming months, Pullman residents will be seeing more crimson and gray than they're used to.
The first of up to 18 Cougar-themed transit buses was unveiled Saturday morning at Washington State University, with President Elson S. Floyd calling the new design "a reflection of our partnership between WSU and Pullman" while the school's marching band performed on Stadium Way.
The university will used money from trademark fees and sales of licensed goods for the "Cougar-Sighting" project, through which much of Pullman's current fleet of transit buses will be covered with the school's dark crimson logo and spirit graphics for the next three to five years. A bright-eyed cougar stares from the side of the vehicle, which is dotted with phrases like "Go Cougs."
"They'll love it," transit system manager Rod Thornton said of the Pullman community. "It's definitely a unique look. I can't imagine people not liking it."
The city's transit system itself represents the Pullman-WSU working relationship, Thornton said, since 85 percent of Pullman's ridership is made up of WSU students and staff, who Thornton said do a lot to contribute to the 1.5 million annual trips made by city buses.
"WSU helps to fund our operations; we probably wouldn't exist if there wasn't a college here," Thornton said of his department. "College towns and transit systems go hand in hand."
Receptive crowd
The crowd of more than 100 homecoming celebrators who arrived at WSU's Cougar Pride statue for Saturday's unveiling seemed impressed by the display.
Doug and Chrisanne Lawrenson of Bellevue said there should be similar projects throughout the state.
"All of the satellite campuses should have this," Chrisanne said. "A lot of (WSU) students for financial or other reasons don't come to Pullman, but they still have ties to the school."
Neil Arnold from Snohomish agreed. He commended Floyd for further integrating the university with its surrounding community, and he hoped that the idea would spread.
"Especially on the west side, we need to do something to fight the purple peril," Arnold said, referring to the University of Washington in Seattle.
Damen Rodriguez, assistant to the director of WSU parking, was more focused on Saturday's Homecoming game against Stanford. He said the new transit bus logo should "reinvigorate Cougar pride" in Pullman.
"It puts a little more energy in the air for a victory today," Rodriguez said.
Arnold shared Rodriguez' confidence.
Although the undefeated Stanford team is ranked highly in the nation, Arnold said, "They're only No. 2 in Pullman."
He and his family and friends waved to the Cougar-themed bus as it drove down Stadium Way, then turned their attention to the rest of their day. The group comes to every home game in Pullman, but they said homecoming weekend is more fun and festive.
"We'll be buying Cougar Gold, eating chili and going to the game," Arnold said.
WSU lost 44-14.
WSU’s Pullman Transit bus design debuts
From WSU News Center 10/15/2011
Hundreds of people were on hand for the much anticipated unveiling of the Washington State University Cougar themed Pullman Transit buses Saturday.
The dark crimson design and cougar face highlight a new "Go Cougs” message that will travel around the Pullman area for the next 3-5 years.
"It shows fantastic cooperation" between the City of Pullman and WSU, said Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson, also a WSU professor.
Code-named "Cougar-Sighting” the design was kept a closely guarded secret until Saturday’s unveiling.
WSU sponsored the project to celebrate its partnership with Pullman’s bus service. No taxpayer dollars were used in funding the project; instead, money from WSU’s trademark and licensing program will pay for the bus wraps.
So far, two buses have been redesigned. There are plans to wrap 10 and possibly more.
There is really nothing like homecoming to celebrate the amazing collaboration between WSU and Pullman, said WSU President Elson S. Floyd.
In the past year, Pullman buses logged 1.4 million passenger trips. Most of the riders (88 percent) are students and staff from WSU.
Hundreds of people were on hand for the much anticipated unveiling of the Washington State University Cougar themed Pullman Transit buses Saturday.
The dark crimson design and cougar face highlight a new "Go Cougs” message that will travel around the Pullman area for the next 3-5 years.
"It shows fantastic cooperation" between the City of Pullman and WSU, said Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson, also a WSU professor.
Code-named "Cougar-Sighting” the design was kept a closely guarded secret until Saturday’s unveiling.
WSU sponsored the project to celebrate its partnership with Pullman’s bus service. No taxpayer dollars were used in funding the project; instead, money from WSU’s trademark and licensing program will pay for the bus wraps.
So far, two buses have been redesigned. There are plans to wrap 10 and possibly more.
There is really nothing like homecoming to celebrate the amazing collaboration between WSU and Pullman, said WSU President Elson S. Floyd.
In the past year, Pullman buses logged 1.4 million passenger trips. Most of the riders (88 percent) are students and staff from WSU.
