St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s latest transportation initiative, a new 46-passenger motorcoach dubbed “The River Runner,” made its debut in service last Tuesday, Oct. 29, providing members of the campus community an initial experience on a newly established shopping shuttle route to California, Maryland. The College introduced the motorcoach as part of an effort to enhance student accessibility to off-campus resources, giving students convenient and reliable options for errands, entertainment, and other activities.
The River Runner is set to operate on a twice-weekly schedule, transporting students into St. Mary’s County, where they can access local shopping centers, dining venues, entertainment spots, and other essential services in California, Maryland. The shuttle will also soon expand to include routes to Leonardtown. Additionally, plans are underway to connect students to broader metropolitan areas, with shuttles to and from Washington, DC, and Baltimore scheduled to begin during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
“The River Runner will help us fill a demonstrated student transportation need,” explained Jerri Howland, PhD, the College’s vice president of student affairs. “The College’s partnership with the Student Government Association (SGA) to acquire this valuable new resource will benefit many students for years to come.” Howland noted that the motorcoach represents a collaboration between the College and the SGA to address longstanding student concerns about transportation options.
The College’s new motorcoach program stems from goals outlined in the institution’s Rising Tide strategic plan. Under this initiative, the College aimed to strengthen student support services, including transportation, to enrich campus life and foster student independence. The addition of the River Runner underscores this commitment by providing a dedicated transportation option designed with students’ needs in mind.
The shuttle program was devised in response to a demand for better local transportation options that cater specifically to students without personal vehicles. Student feedback pointed to the need for accessible, off-campus options for errands, social activities, and cultural experiences—needs the College and the SGA addressed through this new acquisition.
The shuttle is set to operate beyond St. Mary’s County, connecting students to cultural hubs and transit centers in major cities. Dr. Howland stated that future plans include Friday-to-Sunday routes to both DC and Baltimore, along with day trips to cultural sites, museums, and events in the area. Such initiatives aim to integrate students into the wider regional community, facilitating educational enrichment and personal growth.
The River Runner’s inaugural trial run on Oct. 29 was a joint effort between College administrators and members of the campus community, who took part in testing the motorcoach and the shopping shuttle route. Feedback from the initial riders is expected to help shape and refine future service schedules, ensuring the shuttle meets a range of student needs.
In addition to the Thanksgiving shuttle launch, further service enhancements will be considered in the coming months, including potential adjustments to timing and frequency based on student feedback and utilization patterns. Both the College and the SGA see the River Runner as an evolving asset, with plans to make the service more accessible and versatile over time.
The motorcoach initiative reflects a broader movement within higher education institutions to address campus accessibility, with many colleges working to meet transportation demands and promote student engagement within their communities. As the College prepares to roll out the River Runner’s full schedule, students and faculty alike are eager to see how the motorcoach will impact campus life, particularly for those who rely on public transportation to explore local areas.
