VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Ask and you shall receive. In response to student concerns regarding long wait times for the Campus Connector — as well as packed buses — Virginia Commonwealth University Parking & Transportation is launching an express bus service. The express bus, which will start running on Feb. 29, will exclusively serve the Cabell, Larrick and Sanger Hall stops, Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

We're excited to launch the express route to better meet the needs of our students through quicker, more direct service between campuses.

“As needs arise and are voiced, it is critical that P&T takes steps to meet the growth in demand,” said Algappan Subramanian, interim director, Parking & Transportation. “By augmenting additional services, P&T has acted on its commitment to increase satisfaction levels of our customers. We're excited to launch the express route to better meet the needs of our students through quicker, more direct service between campuses.”

Parking & Transportation administrators aggregated peak ridership data to determine where and how they could more effectively modify bus allocations, within the current budget, to improve service. Since Cabell, Larrick and Sanger are the heaviest stops, the addition of an express service to these stops should alleviate students’ concerns by reducing wait times and passenger counts through faster and more frequent service to these locations.

“This is another step in P&T's commitment to customer service by providing faster transportation to three of our most utilized stops,” said Craig Willingham, fleet and interim transportation manager, Parking & Transportation. “Should this program become very successful, it is possible that the express could be expanded to accommodate more passengers.”

Students are able to track the express bus in real time at vcu.transloc.com, or by downloading the VCU Mobile App.

The express bus will run a separate alternate route, independent from the Campus Connector, and should stop at each location within 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The Campus Connector, which provides approximately 700,000 rides annually, currently averages 25 minutes per loop.

All RamRide buses are ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible.

 

 

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