An estimated 1,400 UA students ran for the border yesterday, but came to a screeching halt for an almost 15-minute "express" line wait.

The eight-person staff of the brand-new Taco Bell Express in the Student Union scurried behind the counter to wrap hot burros and refill the hot sauce pan. Customers used an entire case, 1,000 packets, of Taco Bell hot sauce yesterday, said Coleen Cummings, supervisor for Cafe Sonora. Taco Bell is inside Cafe Sonora.

"What people need to understand is that it's a new venture for us," said Martha Mantione, Dining Services senior supervisor, referring to the long wait.

"As soon as we work the kinks out, it'll be really quick," she said.

Mantione said Taco Bell can take up to one month to work up to "express" level.

In the first two weeks, Taco Bell will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. while they train an all-new staff, Cummings said.

After the training period, the express restaurant hours will expand to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Cummings said.

The seven-item menu will expand to 12 items within the next month, but the "express" contract drawn with Pepsi will not allow them to add more than 12 items to the menu, she said.

"Since we're an 'express,' we have limited items so we'll never be a full Taco Bell," Cummings said.

Denise Patterson, communication senior, waited in line for roughly 10 minutes at the new Taco Bell Express in the Student Union.

Usually, Patterson does not eat at Taco Bell on East Speedway Boulevard because of the distance and long lines. Although Patterson said she does not plan to frequent Taco Bell Express, she said she would try it in view of the "first-day hype."

"It's pretty decent," she said, adding that prices were also cheaper than other Student Union restaurants.

"Hopefully it will be worth the wait," said pre-education sophomore Amy Eisenmann, who said she planned to get a Chicken Soft Taco.

"I really like Taco Bell," she said.

Ordinarily, Eisenmann walks to the Taco Bell on Speedway. She said having the restaurant on campus made it more convenient for her.

"We're going to lose some customers," said Dee, a manager at the Taco Bell on 1818 E. Speedway Blvd. But she added the loss would not be significant because many patrons come from the residence halls, apartment complexes and small businesses nearby.

On the down side, Cummings said Cafe Sonora lost some business because some regulars were deterred by Taco Bell's long line, thinking the wait was for Cafe Sonora.

"It's really sad," Cummings said, "But everyone wanted to try what was new."