Student Council's Student Life Committee Co-Chair Aagya Mathur announced yesterday that the well-regarded UVAirBus program is set to relaunch in time for Spring Break.
The program, which debuted last semester for Thanksgiving Break, will transport students to and from the Charlottesville-Albemarle and Richmond International Airports for $5 and $15 each way, respectively, Mathur said. She added that students can begin purchasing tickets within the next couple of days.
Mathur also noted that although there are currently only a limited number of departure dates and times, the Committee is testing a new feature that would allow students to suggest additional time slots, enabling the program to better cater to students' needs.
"We want to accommodate as many students as possible," Council President John Nelson said. "We're starting with fewer buses initially, but ... if there's sufficient demand... we will expand the schedule to meet student needs."
Mathur said this would be especially desirable for students traveling in groups and would be considered on a rolling basis, depending on the volume of requests for specific time slots.\nTo request a specific time slot, Mathur said students can fill out a form online by Feb. 19. The final schedule will be posted on Council's Web site by Feb. 23.
The Committee also is considering providing shuttles to Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va., which has more international flights at cheaper prices than the Charlottesville and Richmond airports.
"We are going to entertain requests to Dulles Airport if there are at least 15 kids who want a certain time," Mathur said. If this comes into fruition, tickets will cost $25-30.\nBoth in- and out-of state students reacted positively to the program.
"I think it's an interesting idea and a convenient program," said first-year College student Michael Graney.
Jordan Gelband, also a first-year College student, suggested that UVAirBus provide transportation to Union Station in Washington, D.C., for those who opt to take the train.
"I think it's a good idea, but I'm from New Jersey, so the only way I'd be flying anywhere is if I were going somewhere other than home because I normally take the train," Gelband said, "but going to Union Station wouldn't be the end of the world either."
Council has assessed data from the program's trial in November and is currently working to ensure the program's longevity, Nelson said.
"We looked at the cost and worked with both the Student Activities Committee and the Parents Commitee to make sure we have continuity and resources in the event that the program didn't meet our revenue," Nelson said. "We worked to ensure this will be a sustainable program in the long run, and even as we launch the Spring Break program, we will be talking to different parts of the University community and different administrators about the future of this program and looking for ways we can improve it."
The Committee is planning on a big publicity push for the program, including placing flyers across Grounds, tabling and advertising on HooView. In addition, members plan on contacting major organizations whose members often travel in large groups, as well as targeting first-year students.
"Once we have the ticket sales set up and ready to go, we'll start e-mailing and publicizing the program to a lot of groups on Grounds, from fraternities to sororities to Alternative Spring Break and different classes and encourage students to let us know about their individual needs and whether they are traveling in a group," Nelson said.
Students can purchase tickets either at the Newcomb Box Office or online through musictoday, which requires a small service charge, Mathur said.
Students can check the bus schedule and submit requests at http://www.uvastudentcouncil.com/about/committees/student-life/uvairbus/.
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