One of the hottest topics for discussion at the last Student Government meeting of the fall semester and a point of interest for many Iona students is the impending discontinuation of the Gael Express next academic year.

Iona’s shuttle that provides transportation to the New Rochelle train station and the New Roc City plaza has become a much-depended upon service by students, faculty and staff members alike.

Yet, continued service for the shuttle is not currently supported in the college budget for the next academic year.

The removal of the Gael Express would be a detriment to the college community.

Students use the shuttle primarily as a means to Manhattan. Whether catching a train to go to an internship, to spend the day exploring New York City or merely to go home to the Bronx, free shuttle service from Iona’s main campus to the New Rochelle train station has become a staple for many students’ Iona experience. Internships are often highly recommended or even required for a great number of Iona students, and many of these opportunities lie beyond the limits of New Rochelle.

While students could pay for a cab or walk to the train station, the free service is a welcome relief for those financially unable to cover the cost of a train ticket and a taxi fee to an unpaid internship that is necessary to advance their career. Many students feel much safer taking the shuttle as opposed to walking back to campus from the train station in the dark.

The Gael Express is important not only to current students, but to prospective students as well. The shuttle can serve as a huge draw to students who are looking to take advantage of Iona’s proximity to New York City, especially when comparable institutions offer similar services.

In the same vein, the Gael Express directly serves a part of the college’s Strategic Plan, which seeks to “Develop targeted… recruitment strategies, leveraging the College’s New York City proximity” to fulfill the goal of student distinction. What better way to leverage Iona’s proximity to the city than to have a free service that gets you there safely?

Nevertheless, the question remains as to how the college can continue to provide the Gael Express service for students. Administrators and Student Government members have expressed that a blanket fee for all students would not be fair to students who don’t use the shuttle.

Yet, there are many services included in student fees that not all Iona students take part in. Some students may not have attended any of the Winter Weeks of Welcome activities, but they helped to pay for them.

Perhaps Iona can adopt a pay-per-ride fee, similar to that of Fordham’s ‘Ram Van,’ in which tickets are $3 per ride.

Those who are a part of this decision-making process are encouraged to look into every possible option for keeping this important and well-utilized service for current and future Iona students.

Although no option will satisfy everyone, cutting the Gael Express entirely will satisfy no one.