Commutes usually involve tedium and stress, but senior Ellie Coleman has transformed the reality of the soccer practice commute for 200 hundred young Piedmont soccer players.

Coleman created a bussing service for players going to Alameda point for practice. It runs Monday through Thursday at 3:30, 4:55, and 6:25, and takes students ranging from third-graders to juniors, which cuts down on excessive carpooling.

“[I remember] seeing carpools all pulling up at the same time and thinking there should be a better way,” Coleman said.

Last winter, Coleman’s idea for a bussing service began to take shape. With help from her dad, she contacted First Student Bus Company, got quotes, made diagrams, and received endorsements from soccer clubs. However, the hardest part was getting a bus stop approved by the city and residents because each spot they picked needed a sign off from the city  and the neighbors directly affected. Ultimately, they decided to have the stop on Highland near Sierra, Coleman said.

“The actual getting the bus part wasn’t that hard,” Coleman said. “I just contacted them and paid them a bunch of money.”

Coleman said that despite the slow movement of bureaucracy, people were surprisingly helpful and accomodating.

“It’s cool to see how gracious the community has been,” Coleman said. “I think a lot of the times people underestimate the kindness and willingness of people.”

After reaching out to the community, thrilled parents eagerly signed up their children, totalling almost 200 student customers, 100 per day. Coleman said they had enough sign ups to pay the bussing company and even turn a small profit, but profit was never a main goal; this service is for the community.

“I think it’s a positive thing that [Coleman] is doing because the bus is really convenient since our parents don’t have to drive and carpool,” sophomore Sarah Lim said.

Overall, responses have been positive. The kids enjoy spending an extra hour together, where they can talk and bond, Coleman said.

Two users of the service, juniors Roxy Moss and Paige Ellis, like taking the bus together, Moss said.

“Paige and I are really close from soccer and it’s fun to hang out with her on the bus,” Moss said.

Coleman loves driving through the center of Piedmont and seeing the students clamoring around the bus stop. She said it gives her a lot of pride, seeing what she accomplished.

“You can do a lot more than you think,” Coleman said. “Age shouldn’t restrict you from pursuing something.”