Public Safety’s Campus Shuttle Service Helps Students Get Around Safely

Accessibility, safety, and reliability: that is what students at St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus appreciate about the Department of Public Safety’s shuttle van service, which connects members of the University community with subways, commuter rail lines, and off-campus residence facilities.

Paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University brought back the shuttle service in a reduced capacity for the 2023-2024 academic year. Now fully operational, recent upgrades include fixed weekday and weekend schedules, real-time vehicle tracking, and drivers employed by Public Safety, which students say make the shuttle even more appealing.

“It’s more or less effortless,” said Hannah Atkinson, a junior from Beltsville, MD, who lives off campus in the Henley Road Residence. “It is free and comes every day, and with the schedule there is more structure now.”

“It is so convenient,” added senior Nyah Gibbs of Beacon, NY, who also resides in Henley. “It comes every hour, and you can go to all buildings across the campus. Living off campus, it makes you feel more connected to the campus community.”

What Student Riders Can Expect from St. John’s University’s Campus Shuttle

Before the pandemic, Public Safety contracted with an outside company to provide bus service around campus and to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)’s Jamaica station and the F train subway stop at Homelawn Street and Hillside Avenue.

The bus service was at times unreliable, especially during inclement weather. When the pandemic abated and the University considered a return to shuttle service, it bought two new 15-seat passenger vans and gave Public Safety more direct supervision of the service.

Drivers are now all Public Safety officers, adding a layer of security for riders. Driving his shuttle on a beautiful October morning, Officer Jimmy Carroll greeted each of the 14 student riders, completing his route from the Henley Road Residence to the Seton Complex, DePaul Houses, and University gates one and six in 40 minutes.

“It’s a great service that is even better now that we have a schedule, a set system,” Mr. Carroll said. “It’s important that the students know where we are and when, and the schedule we keep is spot-on.”

Public Safety supports two separate shuttles. A campus shuttle runs from 6:45 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. every weekday beginning at Henley Road and continuing to the Seton Complex and the DePaul Houses, before arriving at gates one and six and the Public Safety Command Center.

Another shuttle begins at the Jamaica LIRR station and stops at the F train before arriving at gates one and six. Service begins at 6:45 a.m., 7:45 a.m., and 8:45 a.m. It heads back to the LIRR and F train from gates one and six at 3:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m., and 5:45 p.m.

The service is combined into one evenings-only route on weekends, beginning at gate six. The weekend shuttle stops at the F train station, but does not continue to the LIRR’s Jamaica station. Weekend service begins at 6 p.m. at gate six; the final shuttle begins its hourlong route at gate six at 2 a.m.

Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director, Office of Residence Life, says using the shuttle enhances students’ St. John’s experience. Students who use the service can travel to New York City attractions for as little as a subway fare.

“We want students to skip the Uber and use the shuttle,” Dr. Bartlett said. “Unlocking transportation options such as this makes the Big Apple come alive. I always tell students who live in the off-campus apartments that the shuttle will be the best commute of your life.” 

St. John’s University’s Campus Shuttle: A Free and Safe Service 

Students, faculty, administrators, and staff can ride the shuttle for free provided they possess a valid StormCard. Justin Lyles, a senior Computer Science student, lives in an off-campus home and makes a short walk to the shuttle stop outside the Department of Public Safety Command Center on weekdays.

Safety is never a concern for Justin, who is from Westbury, NY.

“Sometimes I will use it to get food late at night on my meal plan,” Justin said. “I can take it to nearly wherever I need to be on campus, and I can plan for where and how to use it.” 

Public Safety’s LiveSafe app features live tracking of campus shuttles during their hours of operation. According to Patrick Wing, Director of Public Safety, the service operates with a nearly perfect on-time record, which is essential not only for students en route to class, but for those traveling by subway or LIRR to Manhattan- or Brooklyn, NY-based internships.

“Many of our students don’t have cars,” Mr. Wing said. “So, if they could not get a shuttle from, say, Henley, they would have to walk. It is a convenience concern, but it is also a safety issue. If students are on campus studying to 2 a.m., we want them to have a safe ride back to Henley or Seton.” 

Most morning shuttles operate at near capacity. Ridership is consistent year-round, but is expected to spike a bit in the colder months.

On busy mornings, Public Safety will attempt to send an additional shuttle, if available, to ensure students arrive on campus on time. “We don’t want them to be late for class,” Mr. Carroll said as he turned his shuttle into the gate one parking area. “That is a priority.”