You could almost hear taxi drivers moan when the Tufts Community Union Senate finalized the details of a low-cost shuttle to Logan Airport for spring break. Shuttle service has been traditionally offered to students for the Thanksgiving recess, but was expanded this year to reduce the high cost of spring break traveling.
The buses, which will be chartered coach vehicles, not yellow school busses, will make eight runs between the Tufts campus and Logan Airport at the week's end. Beginning today, tickets are available for $6 at the campus center Info Booth.
"It's an easy and cost-effective way to get to the airport," said freshman Senator Suman Rao who helped organize the Spring Break shuttle. It is difficult to carry luggage on the 'T,' Rao said, and the trip to the airport requires two train transfers and upwards of an hour in travel time.
Taxis can charge nearly $30 for the ride to Logan, and securing one often poses a challenge on high demand days.
The shuttle will take approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will stop at every airport terminal.
There will not, however, be a similar service offered for students returning to Tufts at the end of break. According to Rao, a post-break shuttle would be too hard to organize: "People come back at too many different times. It's too complicated," he said.
Tickets will remain on sale until the last shuttle departs or until space runs out. Students purchasing tickets must choose their desired time of departure.
Buses will leave the campus center at the following times: Thursday, March 15 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Friday, March 16 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday, March 17 at 10 a.m.