Thursday, August 05, 2010
Reduced West Connection shuttle hours begin August 30
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Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 The shuttle will run between the Schnucks Transfer Terminal and the USI campus every 30 minutes from 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The service will be offered only during the fall and spring semesters, and only when classes are in session. The shuttle currently runs year-round from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday. METS recently announced that the cost of the shuttle would increase to $351,000. The University would be required to contribute $301,000 in order to maintain the current service. The cost of the shuttle has been $75,000, which was split equally between the University, Vanderburgh County, and the City of Evansville. Each paid 33 percent, or $25,000. Mark Rozewski, vice president for Business Affairs, said, "A METS study revealed that ridership after 6 p.m. on weekdays is very light, and Saturdays are even lighter. The summer months do not see much student use, either. In the face of these greatly increased costs, we elected to refocus the route and schedule on their original purpose, which was getting students from area apartment complexes to day or evening classes during the regular academic year." Rozewski noted that two new stops will be added at Mission Viejo Apartments and Eagle Village. With the reduced hours, the cost to USI will still increase from $25,000 to $83,000, and the University's share of the total cost of the service will rise from 33 to 63 percent. |
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