Changes for Spring Break Ride Home Express

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2011) – UK Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) is making some changes to its Ride Home Express service for the 2011 Spring Break offering. PTS Ride Home Express is an express bus service travelling to hometowns and break destinations during the major academic breaks. The service provides an economical and efficient alternative as compared to other means of travel. For Spring Break, PTS will change its ticketing process, offering online sales for most groups, as well as providing streamlined destinations based on past ticket sales.

The program offers significantly cheaper fares than airlines, and faster travel times than other major bus companies. For students without cars on campus, it provides a lower cost travel alternative and eliminates the need for families to make repeated trips to and from Lexington. Students with vehicles on campus will also benefit, by avoiding driving during peak times or putting wear and tear on their car or truck.

“We are excited about the changes to the Ride Home Express service and the impact they will have on UK employees, students and their families,” said Don Thornton, director of Parking & Transportation Services. “We believe that the online registration option will be much more convenient for our riders.”

For the Spring Break edition of the Ride Home Express, PTS will operate four routes, with a total of 16 stops. The final destinations include the metropolitan areas of Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; and Nashville, TN. After Spring Break, PTS administration will evaluate the routes and make a decision as to add additional routes for the coming school year. For individual route maps, visit www.uky.edu/Parking/transportation-ride-home-express.html.

For the first time, UK students are able to register and pay for their trip via the Web by logging on to the Parking Account Manager with their Link Blue ID. BCTC students are also able to pay for trip registration online using their KCTCS login. Ride Home Express registration will be available as an option under the "Purchase Permits" section once logged in. Riders utilizing the online option must pay using a Visa or MasterCard. All other riders must register and pay for their seats in person at the main PTS office, located in Parking Structure #6, at the corner of Press and Virginia Avenues.

Tickets will not be issued. All passengers will be added to a manifest and will need to bring a photo ID to board the bus. Round-trip fares for the PTS Ride Home Express range from $49-$129, with prices varying based on the final destination; a complete price list can be found here: http://www.uky.edu/Parking/transportation-ride-home-express.html#pricelist. In a change from the previous Ride Home Express offerings, one-way fares will not be offered as an option for Spring Break.

PTS recommends registering for the trip as soon as possible. Space is limited, and seats will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. The deadline for purchase is Thursday, March 3.

The motor coaches used for PTS Ride Home Express offer many amenities, including restrooms, televisions and Wi-Fi.

For more information on the Ride Home Express, including a list of fares, visit the Ride Home Express page or the Ride Home Express Frequently Asked Questions.