KINGSTON, R.I. — Sept. 17, 2018 — Students packed the new Rhody Transportation shuttles on a recent steamy day on the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston Campus, and not a discouraging word was heard.

The first transit system operated by the University has a fleet of nine new shuttles branded with URI logos, which serves the Kingston and Providence campuses, the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center in Providence and the College of Engineering site in West Kingston at the Schneider Electric facility. The shuttles, which are all equipped with radios connected to URI Public Safety dispatch, started running the last week of August. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s Route 64 serves the Narragansett Bay Campus. See more transit information.

Students on the Kingston Campus on a recent hot, humid day couldn’t say enough good things about the shuttles and the overall Rhody Transportation system.

“The AC (air conditioning) is huge and the seats are so comfortable,” said senior Anthony Ventura of West Greenwich, who was riding the Hill Climber shuttle. “I feel like there are more shuttles this year, and that I can get a bus anytime I need one. I am 1,000 percent in favor, and I take the shuttles every day. They seem to stop in more places.”

Katie Card, a senior from Scituate had similar things to say.

“Last year, I thought there should have been an app to track the buses, and now we have it, and it’s great. The shuttles will be especially helpful in the bad weather. I am very satisfied.”

Kellie Gammino, an East Greenwich junior, said the new system and shuttles are much better than last year.

“I don’t have to wait as long,” she said. “When I saw that they were smaller than last year’s buses, I was a bit nervous at first that they wouldn’t be big enough. But there are plenty of shuttles, so it has worked out very well.”

Jack Shields, a sophomore from East Greenwich, took his first shuttle trip that day.

“I love it so far, and the driver is so happy,” he said.

Shields also likes the new registration system for parking permits, which now uses motorists’ license plates as the permit.

“It’s so much easier to register now, and you don’t need a sticker,” Shields said.

Megan Chapski, a senior from Franklin, Mass., was riding the Hill Climber down to her car, which was parked in a lot on the outskirts of campus off Flagg Road.

“I am a commuter, and now I don’t have to fight for a parking spot because of the shuttles,” Chapski said. “I feel like they come more often and they are spaced out more appropriately.”

The driver, Jose Lanza, who works for First Transit, the company contracted by the University to provide the shuttles and run the system on a day-to-day basis, told a rider he loves the job. He said with pride that he is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and that each shuttle gets a 50-point checkup before the start of each day.

“If there is a single deficiency, the shuttle does not leave the garage,” said Lanza, who proudly announced that his daughter earned a master’s degree at URI and is now teaching in Providence.

“I am here to cater to my students. They are always saying ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Have a nice day,’ and I told them they had to stop. This is my job. I like the people here. And I promote good communication because it makes it nicer for everyone.”

As he stopped his shuttle to drop off and pick up students, Lanza again heard the chorus from smiling students..

“Have a nice day. Thank you. See you tomorrow.”