Transportation for Students
SHUTTLE SERVICE
Saint Francis University offers our students shuttle service to the area transportation depots (train and bus station and airports) in Altoona and Johnstown (each about 30 minutes from campus) and also Greyhound bus service in nearby Ebensburg (about 10 minutes from campus). Additionally, students who find it necessary to get to a doctor for non-emergency treatment can request shuttle service as well. We do not provide services to or from Pittsburgh, Harrisburg or State College.
Students who need transportation to the bus or train station or local airports can arrange for the service through the Center for Student Life. Students arrange their train, airline or bus tickets on their own and then personally visit the Center for Student Life to complete a shuttle service form three days prior to needing transportation. The Center for Student Life has a pool of drivers who are contacted and transportation is arranged. While this is not a taxi service, the shuttle is set-up so that students traveling to the bus, train or airport who can leave about the same time, are scheduled together. We allow plenty of time for students to get to their transport sites. Students who need return transportation are asked to make those arrangements before leaving campus and, again, a driver is scheduled to meet the student at the transportation depot for a ride back to campus. If transportation cannot be arranged prior to departing campus, contact the Center for Student Life during regular business hours (Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) before leaving from home. Due to the limited number of seats available, students cannot arrive at the station or airport and automatically expect a ride even if the van is there. Priority is given to those students who have prearranged their transportation needs; there will be a waiting period for the people not signed up in advance as they will have to wait until the scheduled students are transported back to campus and the van returns to pick them up.We charge a small fee for shuttle service. The current rate is $6.00 one way, and $10.00 for round trip fares payable in advance of departure. While we try to accommodate every student request, late requests may have to be denied. Once students get to Saint Francis, many students will make contact “on their own” with other students who live near their hometowns and they work out ride-sharing among themselves. Note that we are also in the process of settingup an on-line ride board where students can post ride-sharing opportunities or ride requests. If posted early enough, a ride is usually obtained.
LUGGAGE:
There is a limited amount of space for seating in the vans. Students are asked to limit their luggage to one carry-on or bookbag/laptop bag and one suitcase.
WEATHER CONDITIONS:
The weather in Loretto and the surrounding mountains can be very unpredictable. Winter road conditions can deteriorate at any time. The Center for Student Life and University Police monitor road conditions when we are expecting inclement weather. If we find road conditions on the mountain are poor, we will delay sending vans to the transportation depots until roads are treated and conditions improve. Students waiting for transportation will be notified if delays
occur.
SHOPPING & TRIPS:
The Student Activities Organization owns two vans and, through the Center for Student Life, coordinates not only shuttle service, but also shopping trips tothe local Walmart each Wednesday as well as mall shopping every Friday night to Altoona or Johnstown. Shopping shuttles are offered free of charge to all SFUstudents. The SAO also offers other recreational trips each semester to provide an opportunity for students to get off-campus. In the past, students have had the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games and Penguin hockey games; trips to Cedar Point, Kennywood and Busch Gardens amusement parks; Broadway tours and ballets performances at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh; an annual day trip to New York City; Baltimore Inner Harbor; Washington DC; and any number of other places within one to five hours driving of Loretto. These types of trips are offered at ticket or admission cost or many times reduced cost to our students with free transportation offered either via van or charter bus. Many times student groups come to us with an idea and we help them implement it and usually provide the transportation for little or no cost.
If you have any other questions about the Center for Student Life, please visit our web site. You can also contact us via telephone at 814.472.3005 or visit our website at www.francis.edu/studentlife.htm