By: Zachary C. Young, Editor-in-Chief
One of the lesser-known and used resources on campus is Braves Shuttle. This service offered by the office of University Center and Programs provides students with transportation to both Food Lion and Wal-Mart. The shuttle runs six days a week, Monday through Saturday, on a punctual schedule (see image below for pick-up/drop-off locations and times). The target demographic is students who do not have a vehicle or driver’s license, but Braves Shuttle is free of charge for any UNCP student with a valid student ID.
| Pickup | Cypress Hall | 3:10 P.M. (M-F) 1:10 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Pickup | Courtyard | 3:20 P.M. (M-F) 1:20 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Pickup | North and Pine Halls | 3:25 P.M. (M-F) 1:25 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop off | Food Lion | 3:30 P.M. (M-F) 1:30 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop off | Walmart | 3:45 P.M. (M-F) 1:45 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Pickup | Food Lion | 4:00 P.M. (M-F) 2:00 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | North and Pine Halls | 4:05 P.M. (M-F) 2:05 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Courtyard | 4:10 P.M. (M-F) 2:10 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Cypress Hall | 4:15 P.M. (M-F) 2:15 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Walmart | 4:30 P.M. (M-F) 2:30 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Food Lion | 4:45 P.M. (M-F) 2:45 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | North and Pine Halls | 4:50 P.M. (M-F) 2:50 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Courtyard | 4:55 P.M. (M-F) 2:55 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Cypress Hall | 5:00 P.M. (M-F) 3:00 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Walmart | 5:20 P.M. (M-F) 3:20 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off/Pickup | Food Lion | 5:40 P.M. (M-F) 3:40 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off | North and Pine Halls | 5:45 P.M. (M-F) 3:45 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off | Courtyard | 5:50 P.M. (M-F) 3:50 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Drop-off | Cypress Hall | 5:55 P.M. (M-F) 3:55 P.M. (Sat.) |
| Final Pickup | Walmart | 6:10 P.M. (M-F) |
The shuttle has been in existence for nearly nine years, and Braves Shuttle also takes students to the airport (see image below for pick-up/drop-off locations and times). However, the student must pre-register for this service.
| Fall Break | |
| Depart from Campus to RDU | 10/13 @ 1 P.M. |
| Arrival at RDU | 3 P.M. |
| Pickup from RDU | 10/17 @ 3 P.M. |
| Depart from RDU | 4 P.M. |
| Thanksgiving Break | |
| Depart from Campus to RDU | 11/23 @ 1 P.M. |
| Arrival at RDU | 3 P.M. |
| Pickup from RDU | 11/28 @ 3 P.M. |
| Depart from RDU | 4 P.M. |
| End of Semester | |
| Depart from Campus to RDU | 12/10 @ 1 P.M. |
| Arrival at RDU | 3 P.M. |
As an international student with no means of transportation, Junior Li Cai is thankful for the Braves Shuttle. “I like how the times are convenient and it is free. There is no public transportation here, so the shuttle bus is very important,” said Cai.
Abdul Ghaffar, Director of Campus Engagement and Leadership, spoke to the utilization of Braves Shuttle, encouraging more students to take advantage of this resource. At this point in time, most of the students who use the shuttle are regular patrons.
“We would like to see more students, but the ones that use it, they need it. It’s one of those things where there is enough usage of it to where we wouldn’t consider not doing it,” said Ghaffar.
UNCP currently owns and operates two shuttle buses, with the most recent bus being purchased in May 2021.
Sophomore Angeleigh Hale is an avid user of Braves Shuttle.
“I have used it countless times since my first year. It’s beneficial for people like me who don’t have a car. It makes shopping a lot easier, especially since it gives me a good amount of time to do what I need to do,” said Hale.
The shuttle also hires students who are seeking on-campus employment. If hired, the student would be a driver. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, and also have a clean driving record.
Currently, Braves Shuttle is not hiring for this semester but is in need of drivers for the Spring 2022 semester. If interested, visit the office of University Student Programs. They are located in the UC in room 210, or you can contact the office by phone at 910-521-6577.