By Declan Harris

Samia C., 17, a math and natural science major from Philadelphia, would prefer to go to the Upper Darby Center, but the satellite campus doesn’t offer the classes she needs, so she has been taking SEPTA to Marple campus.

Like Samia, who declined to provide her last name, many DCCC students have to travel farther than they would like.

As part of a pilot program, DCCC is working with the Delaware County Transportation Management Association (DCTMA) and Krapf Group to run an intercampus shuttle that goes to Marple, Upper Darby, and the Southeast Center campuses.

“With our partners the Krapf Group and the DCTMA, we are pleased to offer this free, safe and convenient way for our students, faculty, and staff to commute between our Marple campus and our two satellite locations in Upper Darby and Sharon Hill,” wrote College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black in a recent news release.

Gates Black explained that the college noticed a large majority of students are coming from the Sharon Hill and Upper Darby region. Taking more than an hour for them to get to Marple campus.

“When we asked students if they would use a shuttle to get in between campuses, there was a resounding yes,” Gates-Black said. “At the Upper Darby and Southeast Center there is limited class space, but more importantly there are no science courses at the Upper Darby and Sharon Hill campuses.”

Gates Black stated that when students in Chester County were asked about using a shuttle to get in between campuses they said they wouldn’t need it. If there is a need for it in the future, the college could look into it.

“If we are able to show that it’s a positive impact for our students we would heavily consider renewing it for further use,” Gates Black said.

The shuttle runs five days a week, picking up faculty and students at a designated spot around the campuses.

The shuttles are wheelchair accessible, equipped with WiFi, and free. Students will have to show their student ID before boarding the shuttle.

Currently, the shuttle pilot program is only running through the 2020 fall semester.

According to Cecile Charlton, the executive director at DCTMA, the college wants to see how well the shuttle program works and how interested the staff and students are in the shuttle. DCTMA is a private nonprofit organization that oversees the logistics of the operation.

“A part of the college’s goal in running the shuttle was to reduce traffic congestion and to improve air quality in the area,” Charlton said.

If students want to see where their shuttle is while enroute they can download the Transloc Rider app which is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store. Students can enter Delaware County Community College into the app and see when the next shuttle is expected to arrive.

For now, Samia and many others will continue to ride the new shuttle between campuses to get to their classes.

Students with any comments or concerns about the shuttle are encouraged to email DCTMA at the following address, info@dctma.org.

Contact Declan Harris at communitarian@mail.dccc.edu