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Courtesy of chuckgallagher.com[/caption]
The company Uber is offering cheaper transportation services to SHU students for the holidays, compared to the now removed Student Services’ Newark Liberty International Airport shuttle service and allows students to save some money this holiday season.
In an email sent to students in September, Division of Student Services announced an Uber promotion offering the SHU community $30 off their first ride by entering the promotional code SHURIDES when creating an account.
Teagan Sebba, president of Student Government Association (SGA), said the shuttle service began as a pilot in 2013 and returned to campus in fall 2014.
“The Student Life department said they were willing to keep the shuttle running, but couldn’t justify charging students for a service that costs more than an individual Uber,” Sebba said.
The shuttle service cost students $22 compared to Uber transportation that can range as low as $17.
According to Uber’s Fare Estimator, an UberX ride from campus to Newark Airport ranges from $17-$23.
In addition to cost, Karen Van Norman, dean of students, said Uber is available at students’ convenience as opposed to the shuttle, which would only make two trips to Newark Liberty International Airport at maximum if enough students were interested.
Illinois native Amy Gabriel, junior accounting major, who has previously used the shuttle service, is not upset by its absence this year. Gabriel said that the holiday shuttle was inconvenient and expensive, and that she opted to drive with friends instead.
Anthony Bonuccelli, freshman English major, said he frequently uses Uber to go to Newark Penn Station when traveling back home to Maryland. These Uber rides typically cost him about $12.
Tela Wittig, freshman diplomacy major, said she will not be using Uber to travel home because of the distance from campus to where she lives in Ithaca, N.Y. Wittig said that she plans to take a train into New York and a bus upstate. An Uber is not necessary for Wittig because of SHU’s proximity to the train station.
Julie Trien can be reached at julie.trien@student.shu.edu
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