UNC suspends P2P fixed routes through December, switches to on-demand services

The Point-to-Point Express and Point-to-Point Shuttle will offer no fixed route services as of Monday through at least Dec. 24.

Ride requests will still be available through the Office of Transportation and Parking. Riders requesting campus after-dark service between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. may use the TransLoc app or call P2P dispatch to request rides. 

Cheryl Stout, director of UNC Transportation and Parking, said that since the start of the fall 2020 semester, the P2P Express fixed route has averaged nine riders per night, and the Baity Hill Shuttle averaged just two riders per night. 

Junior environmental justice major Gabriela Duncan said she used to ride the P2P frequently before the pandemic. 

“Probably close to every weekend,” she said. “It was really helpful when I had band practice on campus, and saved me the trip from South Campus to North Campus.”

But, since moving off campus after the de-densification of residence halls, Duncan said she has found alternate ways of getting around campus.

“I definitely use the P2P much less often since the onset of COVID,” Duncan said. “With the 10 percent capacity rules for buses, I’ve found it easier just to walk around. It’s been a nice way to stay active during this time.”

Molly Hagerty, a first-year peace, war and defense major, was never able to use the P2P due to COVID-19. 

“I’m sure I would’ve used it more under normal circumstances,” she said. “But since we were only on campus for two weeks, my friends and I never got a chance to use it.”

Even though the P2P change does not affect her directly, Duncan expressed some concerns for students who are still living on campus.

“I think this change won’t really impact people living off campus, but for students living on campus, it may present a big issue,” she said. “Especially for students living on South Campus who want to go anywhere on Franklin Street, like Target or the grocery store.”

Despite this, Duncan said she believes this change will be a more efficient use of energy for the bus system and keep Chapel Hill a little greener for the time being. 

Stout said there were environmental factors that influenced their decision to suspend the fixed route. 

“These larger buses continue to consume fuel while continually circling the campus, but with no riders for most of the hours of service with few patrons having to wait at bus stops after hours,” she said. “Transitioning to on-demand service after dark reduces the cost of operating while also providing enhanced service to riders.” 

Stout said that these enhanced services will include a pickup and drop-off schedule based on the specific origin and destinations of the ride instead of having riders wait at designated stops. Riders will not have to rely on a bus schedule and can request rides as needed. 

Stout said that UNC Transportation and Parking will reassess service moving toward the spring 2021 semester based on ridership demands and in collaboration with campus partners. 

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