Get on the bus

Students got a chance to board the bus after a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Beginning this fall, the Dalhousie Tigers won’t be hard to spot on the road. They’ll be travelling in the distinctly decaled Dal bus.

When the bus is not being used by varsity teams, the broader Dalhousie community will be able to rent the bus for their own group travel.

The Tigers have been using buses for team travel for years and when the opportunity came along to lease one that the Department of Athletics and Recreational Services could brand as their very own, the list of benefits outweighed the slight increase in cost.

The bus will act as billboard—building awareness for the Department of Athletics and Recreational Services and the university as a whole.

“This is an amazing transportation service for all our Dalhousie students—a service that is literally turning heads throughout the Maritimes!” says Marc Braithwaite, executive director of student wellness. “It will provide students and staff with a safe, reliable and cost effective option for transportation anywhere they need to travel.”

The bus had its inaugural ride ferrying participants to and from the 11th annual Dal Golf Classic, held on August 28 at Glen Arbour Golf Course in Hammonds Plains, N.S.

Feedback has been very positive from those who had a sneak peek. And it has generated a lot of buzz throughout the varsity players.

“The bus is great. It gives the athletes a very comfortable travelling experience. The fact that there are luxuries such as wireless Internet and televisions will make the trips much more enjoyable,” says Simon Farine, a basketball player. “We’ll have more room to relax and study. Being able to get more studying done while on the road is the biggest benefit the bus will provide to the athletes.”

An action shot of Mr. Farine is part of the bus’s design: “It’s pretty cool that there is a big picture of me on the side of the bus. The fact that people will be seeing me for years to come on a bus representing Dal is an honour.”

“You can’t help but feel that flutter of Tiger pride when you see it,” says volleyball player Jill Johnsrude. “I can’t wait to roll up to X for the first time and park our bus next to theirs, because ours is so much cooler.”

The bus has air conditioning, a kitchen galley, wireless Internet, washrooms and TV screens. It also comes with ample storage, a professional driver and a 24-hour emergency line.

The Dalhousie community is encouraged to rent the Dal bus for their group travel needs. It’s a great way to enhance a conference or group event and support Dalhousie Athletics at the same time. Learn more about the Dal bus at www.athletics.dal.ca or contact Ambassatours at (902) 423-6242 to check availability or receive an individualized quote.