Moesha Facey
Mount St. Mary’s University is situated in the small town of Emmitsburg, Maryland. During an hour-long drive to campus, you will pass by expansive cornfields and, from a distance, see the mountains that surround the school. While its remote location fosters a close-knit, family-like atmosphere, it also highlights the need for transportation on campus.
An initiative for transportation on campus started in 2022 when Dr. Levi Esses, the dean of students at the time, began communications with the Transit Services of Frederick County to find a way to institute a transportation service on campus for the students. Wendy A. Brubaker, Director of Orientation and New Services, soon partnered with Esses in this initiative when she joined the Mount in 2022. Brubaker said, “Esses led most of the conversations with the Transit Services, and it was determined in 2023 that a shuttle service was feasible.” The Mount was added to the Frederick County Shuttle’s loop, with the pickup area located in front of public safety at the Mount serving as the bus stop.
The Frederick Shuttle runs from Monday to Friday with pickups at the Mount at 7:22 a.m., 12:22 p.m. and 5:07 p.m., and on Saturdays at 10:27 a.m. and 3:42 p.m. The bus makes stops throughout the communities of Frederick, Thurmont and Emmitsburg before resting at the transit center on East Street, Frederick. All bus rides are free for Mount students, who only need to show their IDs before boarding. Information about the shuttle schedule is continuously shared via campus emails, flyers and school televisions.
Jaime McKay and Dennis Mary, the Communications Managers of the Transit Services of Frederick County were able to provide statistics showing increasing ridership for the Frederick Shuttle bus since the Mount was added to the bus loop. For the fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024), in Q1 (July-September) there were 980 rides, in Q2 (October-December) there were 1200 rides, in Q3 (January-March) there were 1330 rides and in Q4 (April-June) there were 1175 rides. In total, there were over 4680 rides, with Mount students contributing significantly. Brubaker expressed a desire for even more students to utilize the bus service.
On September 30, 2024, Brubaker sent out an email announcing that a new airport shuttle service is set to begin at the end of the fall 2024 semester and the start of the spring 2025 semester. This shuttle aims to assist students traveling to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) or Dulles International Airport (IAD) during breaks. The prices are very affordable, with a round-trip costing $40 and a one-way trip $25. The shuttle will depart on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 7 a.m. from Mount St. Mary’s University, stopping at BWI at 9 a.m. and continuing to IAD, arriving around 11 a.m. The return trip is scheduled for Saturday, January 11, 2025, with pickups at IAD at 5 p.m., BWI at 7 p.m., and arrival at the Mount at approximately 9 p.m.
Students are to register for the shuttle using a form attached to Brubaker’s email, with payment due at registration. Brubaker mentioned that this airport shuttle is a test run, with hopes of making it a regular service based on student usage.
Students have shared their views on these services. Zachary Weybright (C’25) said, “These services are good for students who don’t have cars.” Afua Adamu (C’25) added, “Adding a new shuttle to BWI Airport sounds like a useful idea for students who travel, but only if the service is well promoted and operates as expected.” Alysha John (C’28) expressed, “The Frederick shuttle bus is very helpful because it can take us off campus to places like Walmart or just to go out with friends.”
Brubaker emphasized, “When students have a need, we try to meet that need, and a shuttle is one of those things.” The Mount is continuously trying to enhance campus life so that all students have the resources they need to succeed and enjoy their time at the Mount.