The Kwantlen Students Association put a new spin on students racing to class by holding a contest to show that public transit is slower than cycling and jogging.

The association’s Beat the Bus contest midday Wednesday started at the Kwantley Polytechnic University Surrey campus (12666 72nd Ave.) and concluded at the Langley campus at Glover Road and 208th Street.

“We’d like TransLink to step up and provide better service South of the Fraser,” said Nathan Griffiths, the student association marketing coordinator

Cyclist John O’Brian rode the route in 52 minutes.

David Palermo, a physiotherapist and runner who wanted to help draw attention to the student transit situation, took one hour and six minutes to run the 19.2 kilometres.

Clocking in at the slowest time was Ashley Fehr, a fourth-year political science student who is well acquainted with trying to get to and from school on transit.

For Wednesday’s contest, held to highlight the need for better transit for Langley and Surrey, Fehr missed her connection. She said that happens often.

Students need to take three buses to get between the Surrey and Langley campuses, “so the probability of missing one of them is high,” Griffiths said.

Because of the number of student spots at each campus and the availability of courses, students must travel between the different campuses to get what they need. Griffiths, a Langley resident had to go to the Richmond campus when he was a student.

Read more about student transit concerns and efforts in the Langley Advance Sept. 3.