GLTC adds new buses to Liberty fleet

As Liberty University continues to grow and resident enrollment stays at an all-time high, improvements in campus transportation becomes vital for students trying to reach their next destination. Recently, the university received six new buses from the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company, complete with upgrades that make travelling around campus even more safe and convenient.

Each new bus is GPS-enabled and equipped with a built-in screen that displays the next stop. Richard Martin, director of financial research for LU, said that by this summer the new buses will be capable of counting each passenger as they board, alleviating this task for the driver. Other features include wider front and rear doors that are lower to the ground, allowing passengers to safely board and exit the bus. A driver-operated ramp also permits those in wheelchairs to enter and exit without any hindrance.

The fleet is approximately 40 percent more fuel-efficient and runs on clean diesel, eliminating exhaust and soot that is often produced by large vehicles. Within the next month, the university will be renaming each bus route in order to provide more specific information about routes. Students can expect to learn more about this adjustment in the coming weeks.

“Campus logistics has been one of the more challenging and important areas to the university’s growth, because we have moved into a multi-campus operation,” Martin said. “We have to be able to provide access to a wide area of the campus to people who may not have the ability to operate a motorized vehicle. Having campus transit connecting the campuses (Campus North, Main Campus and Campus East) is very important to the operation of Liberty University.”

For more information about LU’s bus routes and transit hours, please visit the LU Transit Web page.