The fate of the Gael Express shuttle remains up in the air as college administrators continue to weigh the options of maintaining shuttle service for Iona students.

Students have been up in arms about the fact that the Gael Express has been cut from next year’s budget. Without these free-of-charge vans, students would be forced to pay out of pocket for alternative transportation to get to and from the train station and New Roc City.

Yet, the estimated $149,800 needed to operate the Gael Express at its current service level was not in the projected budget for the upcoming academic year. With no students expected to be living at the Marriott, it was not deemed necessary to continue the shuttle service.

In response to calls from the student body to save the Gael Express, the Student Government Association Executive Board with the help of Vice Provost for Student Life Charlie Carlson have working to see if it is worth the money to keep the Gael Express.

Between the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year and Jan. 24, 38,314 rides had been taken by students, faculty and staff between the campus, the train station and New Roc City.

Even after East Hall opened and a large number of students moved out of the Marriott, the ridership did not drastically change.

In response to the obvious desire of students to maintain the service and the data showing frequent usage by the college community, the executive board moved forward and developed a series of six proposals to bring before SGA’s Legislative members.

Options presented to the student representatives ranged from maintaining full service, several scaled back or reduced service options and simply cutting the service. Each option would be funded by an additional service fee to all full-time, undergraduate day students who would be allowed unlimited rides for the year.

Faculty, staff and part-time students would have the option to pay a one-time fee for a pass to use the service. As with the current ridership policies of the Gael Express, guests from outside the school would not be allowed to ride.

The funds collected from the service fee would be used to guarantee the shuttles could run, while any additional funds from non-full time students would be put towards maintenance of the vehicles.

Because of the time sensitive nature of the budget issue, SGA’s Legislature had to vote on the proposals at the same meeting they were presented , though they were made aware that the issue would be brought up in advance.

The student representatives voted overwhelmingly to maintain full service of the Gael Express.

“It was the most logical choice,” said sophomore Kaitlyn Richter, Hagan School of Business senator-at-large. “More students are riding the Gael Express this year than last year, and it makes traveling so much easier. Also, I didn’t want any security guards to lose their jobs over this.”

The plan comes with a price tag of approximately $53.50 per student per year, plus administrative costs of roughly $1.43. During the meeting, the executive board recommended this plan to the representatives, explaining that if you took a cab just a few times each semester, it would add up to more than the service charge.

SGA will be bringing this plan before the administration in hopes that they will approve the proposal and allow for the Gael Express to continue running next school year.

When asked about this plan, students seemed open to paying an additional fee in order to keep the shuttle.

“I take the train a lot, and knowing the Gael Express is going to be there makes me feel safe,” explained freshman Allie Steinberg. “I’d rather take the Gael Express late at night than get into a cab. It’s nice knowing that the person driving me has been vetted by the school and isn’t just some stranger with a taxi license. Plus, if you take the cab a few times, it adds up. I’d rather pay around $50, it’s not a huge amount and it pays for itself.”

In moving forward, the possibility of sponsorship of the Gael Express will explored. The idea of selling advertising space on the vans will be explored to help offset the cost to students.