'Ride Home Express' Starts in the Fall

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 3, 2010) – Starting this fall, University of Kentucky Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) will offer an alternative travel option for students and employees in visiting a variety of destinations. The PTS Ride Home Express will operate at the start and end of the Thanksgiving, winter semester and spring breaks, and will serve 29 cities along eight routes.

The PTS Ride Home Express will provide reliable, comfortable and affordable transportation to and from hometowns or break destinations during the three major academic breaks. The program offers significantly cheaper fares than airlines, and faster travel times than other major bus companies.

“Dean Jeanine Blackwell approached Parking & Transportation Services with this idea, after seeing something similar in action at the University of Pittsburgh,” said Don Thornton, director of Parking & Transportation Services.

“The PTS Ride Home Express travelling outside Lexington at the beginning and end of break periods will assist both students without cars on campus and their families. Combined with other alternative transportation programs on campus, the PTS Ride Home Express will reduce the need for students to have vehicles on campus.”

PTS has selected eight initial routes, based on historical student geographical information provided by UK Admissions and Registrar’s Office. The final destinations and stops include: Cleveland, OH (Northern KY, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus); Chicago, IL (Louisville, Indianapolis); Paducah, KY (Elizabethtown, Beaver Dam, Madisonville); Nashville, TN (Bardstown, Elizabethtown, Bowling Green); Atlanta, GA (London/Corbin, Knoxville, Chattanooga); Whitesburg, KY (London/Corbin, Manchester, Hazard); Pikeville, KY (Stanton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg); and Charleston, WV (Morehead, Ashland).

Riders will be able to reserve a seat on one of the PTS Ride Home Express buses via the Web by telephone or in person. Fares for the PTS Ride Home Express will range from $39-$129, with prices varying based on the final destination. Tickets will be sold through the Student Center Ticket Office, and will go on sale in September 2010 for the Thanksgiving routes.

On the travel date, PTS will transport riders to Commonwealth Stadium to prepare for departure. Riders must present a photo ID before boarding. All stops along the routes are in well-lit public locations, such as shopping centers, chain restaurants and hotels. These spots will also serve as the pick-up points for the return trips.

The motor coaches used for PTS Ride Home Express offer many amenities. These may include restrooms, televisions and Wi-Fi. Each of the two motor coach companies used for the program has a toll-free phone number available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The numbers may be used to answer questions and track the buses while en route.

Other schools with similar programs include Pennsylvania State University, University of Texas-Austin and the University of Virginia.

Additional information will be available throughout the summer months at www.uky.edu/Parking/transportation-ride-home-express.html.