In response to an overwhelming request for transportation services between the Cornell University campus in Ithaca and Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, a regularly scheduled express bus service began operation on Sept. 7.
Prior to its launch, President Jeffrey Lehman asked the University's Office of Transportation in 2003 to survey the Cornell community as to the need for such a service and to determine its feasibility. The findings indicated that bus transportation would fill an unmet need for Cornell commuters. "This type of service will also promote engagement and interaction among colleagues, and also help to facilitate interdisciplinary academic pursuits," said President Lehman.
Operated by a regional provider of high-end transportation, the comfortable, coach-style buses, with only 21 seats, provide business-class accommodations. The service is available for a fee to a wide variety of Cornell-associated individuals, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, recruiters, guest lecturers, prospective students and University guests. The bus can be used for business or personal purposes.
"The campus-to-campus bus service fulfills a unique niche in travel needs for Cornell community members," said William Wendt, director of transportation services, who is also responsible for the University's fleet operations. "It will be less expensive for the University to send people down by the busload, allowing them to arrive relaxed, without the hassle and expense of finding parking. It will also free up our fleet vehicles for other types of trips."
The pilot program is scheduled to run until December 17; plans are to continue it for the spring semester if the service is utilized and well received. For more information, call the Transportation Office at (607) 255-4628; for reservations, call (607) 255-4284; or visit www.cbs.cornell.edu/travel/c_to_c.html.