Howard Payne University’s Stinger Shuttle is up and running for a second year, transporting students to locations across the university’s main campus, its east campus and beyond. The service is offered to students every weekday through a partnership with CARR, City And Rural Rides.
In addition to campus transportation, the Stinger Shuttle also offers students two other services: the Wednesday Wal-Mart Run and the Football Game-Day Shuttle to and from home football games on Saturdays at Gordon Wood Stadium.
One of the shuttle program’s major goals is to provide convenience to students, those without personal transportation and those who have a vehicle but would like to save on fuel costs. As an institution, HPU is seeking ways to be more environmentally conscious, so reducing the number of vehicles driving back and forth to the east campus helps cut emissions.
“Most of my classes were in Newman Hall and I don’t have a car on campus, so it really worked great when I couldn’t catch a ride from friends,” says Emily Lewis, a senior at HPU.
In fall 2009, during a question-and-answer session for students with Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, a student asked a question concerning shuttle services, which served as the springboard for the Stinger Shuttle initiative. The successful pilot run took place in spring 2010 and ran for seven weeks, carrying approximately 30 riders a day.
That summer, Howard Payne University’s Office of Student Life staff worked to make the shuttle service a full-fledged program. The university partnered with CARR to provide the shuttle bus.
“We were so excited to launch the Stinger Shuttle last fall, and continue to be pleased with student utilization of this great service,” said Dr. Brent Marsh, vice president for student life and dean of students. “We appreciate CARR’s willingness to partner with HPU to provide this opportunity for students. The staff at CARR has been great to work with.”
Data for the 2010-2011 school year show averages of 55 riders a day for the fall semester and 40 riders a day during the spring semester. For the current school year, the program has continued to stay strong. With a capacity to seat 21 passengers and the possibility of additional riders holding handrails in the aisles, there have been times when the bus is completely full.
“The Stinger Shuttle is amazing,” said Cameron Polaski, HPU sophomore. “It’s convenient and it’s a trip I don’t have to take in my own vehicle.
Pictured above: HPU students on the way to class board the Stinger Shuttle.
