<p>One of the topics often mentioned on this board is how to get from Birmingham International Airport to the UA campus. Starting this week, there is a scheduled bus service between the two destinations for $16.50 each way. For those wanting to visit the Mississippi State Campus, the fare is $19.25 each way. There is a bus stop on campus, likely the Crimson Ride Hub.</p>
<p>For those students flying by themselves to Bama Bound, this would be a great option. I plan on taking it a lot as it allows me to take earlier flights (the first bus arrives at BHM at 4:50 am) and costs a lot less money than the private and UA airport shuttles.</p>
<p>[Company</a> offers bus service to Starkville | TuscaloosaNews.com](<a href=“http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120406/NEWS/120409871/1007?Title=Company-offers-bus-service-to-Starkville]Company”>http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120406/NEWS/120409871/1007?Title=Company-offers-bus-service-to-Starkville)</p>
<p>[ACR</a> Express Routes | ACR Express](<a href=“http://www.acrexpress.net/acr-express-routes/]ACR”>http://www.acrexpress.net/acr-express-routes/)</p>
<p>Super! And a great price!</p>
<p>Supply meets Demand!</p>
<p>Sea_tide, you are a travel agent extraordinaire. Thank you.</p>
<p>SEA_tide has been helpful in all sorts of areas, and I greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>Great news, thanks for the info. Have also wanted the early option for the 6:30 am flights, lower price (no longer a loss with private shuttle), shorter travel time and home with time to enjoy the day. :):):)</p>
<p>Thanks for posting Sea_Tide, this is good news…will be passing along to D and friends.</p>
<p>One less thing to worry (less) about, both logistically and financially! YAHOO! :)</p>
<p>I was just looking at the website and thinking about purchasing tickets to get my D to the airport for fall break, but it doesn’t appear that the tickets actually reserve a seat or even a particular day and time. I wonder if during peak times, like a school break, we could trust that a seat would be available. I will call the number provided next week and ask them about it. Certainly is a great price!</p>
<p>This is certainly another great option however, I wonder if there are any luggage restrictions.
I just recently made a request concerning the UA shuttle service regarding earlier and later shuttles to Birmingham, which would allow students to purchase some of the less expensive airline tickets.
I suggest that other concerned parents do the same. The more voices the better.</p>
<p>robotbldmom, thank you for sending a request for earlier and later shuttles to UA. The response seems to be that not enough people ask. When I inquired why there was an 11:30 am shuttle from BHM for Thanksgiving, but not the other breaks, I was told that it was because there was little demand for a shuttle at that time. Considering that there were three buses full of students taking the 11:30am shuttle, that seems hard to believe. </p>
<p>I called the company on Friday and the person who knew the answers to my questions wasn’t in the office. The lady operating the phone didn’t know how many shuttles there were on weekends or where the bus picked up on campus (her notes simply said main campus). The service started this past Monday and they haven’t yet picked anyone up in Tuscaloosa. With some advertising in the Crimson White and other local newspapers and listing the service on UA websites, it could become very popular. </p>
<p>The bus service is funded in part by a federal grant, which explains the reasonable costs. I’ve taken similar shuttles in the Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC areas and it is one of my preferred ways to get to the airport. Full-size charter buses will be used, so 1-2 checked bags will likely be allowed for free and there will be a restroom, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi on board. Unlike the UA shuttle, gratuity will be accepted, so make sure that your student has a couple of dollars on hand. Two-dollar bills are especially useful for tips while travelling.</p>
<p>Great advice Sea_tide: I sent my request through the honors college hoping more weight would be carried as a request through them for current and future “OOS” students but I am also sending a direct request to the UA shuttle service. I truly believe that the “squeaky wheel get the grease” so the more requests the better. Please word the request listing the need for earlier/later transport times as a necessity for your students optimum travel requirements.</p>
<p>Sounds interesting. This reminds of the Megabus express intercity bus service.</p>
<p>[megabus.com</a> | Now serving over 16 million bus customers in North America](<a href=“http://us.megabus.com/Default.aspx]megabus.com”>http://us.megabus.com/Default.aspx)</p>