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by Danielle Poland
Why pay when you can ride free? The Marlin Express is the way to go. The Marlin Express is starting to catch on. More than 200 students have used it this semester. The Marlin Express is a student-operated shuttle service at Virginia Wesleyan funded by the Wesleyan Activities Committee that provides students with free transportation.
As students asked for transportation off campus, in particular the exchange students because they were without cars, the Marlin Express became a topic of conversation.
"It's good because it fits a need our students have, our students requested it, and we put together something that works," said Lina Green, director of the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
The Express takes students to downtown Norfolk to MacArthur Center Mall where they can then take the Norfolk Electric Transit (NET) to places such as the Opera House. If students are interested in traveling to specific restaurants, theaters or historic museums in the surrounding area, they can ride on the NET, a free downtown transportation system funded by the city.
This service allows students to explore the area without the need for a taxi, bus or car of their own. With this accommodation students are able to get around, go about their regular routine and save money on gas or alternate transportation.
"The Marlin Express is a great opportunity for students to get off campus free, without the pressure of paying for gas, trying to find a parking spot or even worrying about getting a ride," said senior Kevin Wright, a driver for the Express. "It helps give those students a sense of freedom, that they are not stuck on campus, or totally reliant on their friends who have cars."
The Marlin Express operates on the weekends, leaving campus at 6 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Green said the Marlin Express operates only on the weekend to avoid conflicting with class schedules.
"We try and not conflict with class schedules. We honor the academic side of the house and provide entertainment for students on the weekends," said Green.
The Marlin Express also offers transportation for students on other days, even if the times are not listed on the schedule. If a group of students have a special event to attend and they give Green some notice, she can coordinate the Express to take them to their destination.
The Marlin Express is driven by qualified and carefully selected Virginia Wesleyan students to ensure student safety.
Freshman Kyle Wernick has used the Marlin Express every weekend of the fall semester. Wernick thinks it's a great idea to have students operate the Express. "I like it because I've met a lot of cool people that drive it and I feel safe with them because I know them so well by now after using it each weekend," he said.
He said the Express is helpful for kids who wish to save money by not driving themselves downtown. "I use it to go to the SCOPE, which is the arena where the Norfolk Admirals play. Since I don't have a car here this year, it's really the easiest way to get downtown," said Wernick.
As the number of riders on the Marlin Express continues to increase, The College is also planning more ways to expand the service.
For more information about the Marlin Express, or to become a driver, e-mail Lina Green at lina@vwc.edu.