With fall break only a few days away, students traveling away from school can worry about one less thing – getting to and from the airport.
For the first time, Student Government Association will provide free shuttles for students over fall break to and from Dallas-Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field airports.
“We’ve decided to extend shuttles to fall break because that’s the first time out of state students typically go home,” student body vice president Abbey Widick said. “I personally remember one of my big things coming to TCU is that I have no family in the area so how was I going to get home for all the breaks.”
According to the 2016 Fact Book, 48.75 percent of the undergraduate student body is from out of state and first-year students make up about 20 percent of undergraduates.
SGA already offers shuttles for both Thanksgiving and Winter Break. Widick said what has kept students riding the shuttles is the fact that students don’t have to spend any money or time wondering where their car has to sit while they’re gone.
Junior finance and supply chain double major Max Doctor said he experienced that trouble once trying to get home to Las Cruces, New Mexico.
“One time I did drive over there and it must have been about $75 bucks for 3 days parking,” Doctor said. “It was brutal.”
He said after that he used the SGA shuttle for the holiday break and would recommend it to anyone so they hopefully save their money.
“It’s easy to sign up and they have a bunch of times for you,” he said. “They take you right where you need to go – it’s so much better.”
Registering for a ride can be done on Eventbrite. From there, there are options to register for both Oct. 13 to get to the airport and Oct. 17 to get back to school.
For rides to DFW Airport Friday, Oct. 13, shuttles begin at 1 p.m. and go every hour until 6 p.m. and for Love Field there are two trips: one at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 3 p.m. The shuttles will drop off passengers at Gate C2 going to DFW Airport and the central terminal for those at Love Field. Per the registry page, consider giving an hour plus of time when signing up to get to the airport and arrive 15 minutes prior to the time your shuttle is scheduled to leave.
For rides coming back Tuesday, Oct. 17, shuttles will provide pick up from Gate C2 of DFW Airport at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. while Love Field will pick up at the central terminal at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
In addition to getting praise from students, Widick said parents have also shown appreciation for the free rides.
“I’ve had a lot of great reactions from parents who have been appreciative that their student has a plan for a way to get home,” she said. “[Students] have something they can look forward to at the end of the week especially when people have so many tests right before a big break. It’s awesome that it’s just one less thing to worry about.”
