The sudden end of service of Fairfield University’s old shuttle left a prominent administrator waiting for a meeting that would never happen, students lamenting the absence of favorite drivers and other students hoping for improved services.
Fairfield Transportation Services was no longer in business, as of noon of Friday, April 11.
The university wasn’t notified of the change until that Friday morning, when the president of Fairfield Transportation Company failed to show up for a meeting with Assistant Vice President of Student Services James Fitzpatrick.
“On Friday I had a meeting to review the year and make plans for next year,” Fitzpatrick said. “The president of the company never showed for the meeting.”
In addition to making plans for next year’s transportation, Fitzpatrick hoped to address the ongoing problems with off-campus transportation as well as the vast improvement in on-campus transportation over the past school year.
“On-campus transportation has greatly improved,” said Fitzpatrick. “Student seemed to like the two drivers Don and Earl. They were very friendly …”
Students such as Erin Gray, ’05 agree: “I’m really sad that those guys are gone. Don was so friendly. He knew everyone’s name … he really took the time to say hi to you. If you’re going to bring in a new company, fine, just keep the guys that have worked here.”
Transportation both on and off-campus will see a few changes with a new company running the routes. Dattco, Inc. began services the evening that the old service stopped running.
Dattco will offer longer hours of operation for the on-campus shuttle and the elimination of the shuttle to Black Rock.
“There didn’t appear to be the ridership that necessitated two shopping locations,” Fitzpatrick said about the end to the Black Rock part of the shuttle service.
Dattco has provided transportation for the universities special trips and athletic teams. The university chose Dattco as the new transportation provider based on their connections to the company and Dattco’s commitment to service.
“We had connections with Dattco in case something happened,” said Fitzpatrick. “Our pre-planning paid off.
“When I say we’re appreciative to Dattco for handling this is a vast understatement,” Fitzpatrick added, since Dattco was able to take on Fairfield’s needs the same day Fairfield Transportation went out of business.
Students have mixed feelings as to whether or not the new service will run more smoothly.
“I think there is a good chance that it will be better, because they were recently hired,” said Lauren Fedechena ’05. “I think you work harder when you were just hired.”
Others have already seen an improvement, including the freshman female who experienced so many transportation problems in the past. “I can definitely say that on – campus transportation has improved. They run longer hours and seem to always show up,” Maureen Hession, ’06.
Fitzpatrick also is hopeful that both the on and off – campus shuttle services will continue to improve and fulfill students’ transportation needs.
“Dattco has been a very, very dependable company in terms of their coach service. If their campus and town shuttle service equals their coach service, than I think the student body will be very, very pleased,” Fitzpatrick said.
The new shuttle schedule can be found on Campus Pipeline and the university Web site.
Dattco, Inc., based in New Britain, CT, provides a variety of transportation services including school buses services, luxury coaches and motor coach charters with their fleet of over 800 vehicles.
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