Salisbury University SGA working to establish transportation service across Bay Bridge

Salisbury University’s Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution prompting the SU Administration to introduce a plan ensuring a reliable transportation service for students across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at the first SGA forum of the 2026-2027 school year.

SGA's flyer advertising the service and the survey. Image provided by Thabiso Ratlou.

The proposal passed with 11 votes in its favor and one abstention, and is expected to include a subsidized cost for students– with clarification of where the costs originate from, transportation locations, proposed schedule times and start date of the service. 

The resolution was introduced by Vice President Thabiso Ratlou and Treasurer Chris Smith. Ratlou emphasized the importance of the subsidized cost the service would offer, saying a one-way trip to the BWI Marshall Airport costs approximately $85.

“That’s too much, especially if you just want to go home for the weekend,” he said. “Students would be spending at least $200 just to go home.”

While a final cost isn’t confirmed yet, Ratlou said the highest maximum range of the service is expected to be $20 to $30. Survey data taken from SU’s student body earlier this semester indicates 18% of students are willing to pay $20 or more. 63% of students are willing to pay $10 or less, according to the same survey. 

Ratlou recognized a lot of students wanted the service to be free, and stressed the overwhelming need for the shuttle service. As an international student, he said he understands the difficulties that come with organizing transportation across the bridge.

“If you don’t have a car then you also have to worry about organized travel for your flight home for summer break [for example] from the BWI Airport to here– which the options available are limited for that,” Ratlou said. “I knew that the school should at least provide something like that for everybody, even for those under certain commitments like international students.”

The survey reports over 50% of responding students reside on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and over 90% claim they would use the university-shuttle service if available, supporting Ratlou’s notion. Location details of the service are still unconfirmed but survey data indicated a slight majority of students preferred the shuttle traveling to the BWI Airport, given the option between the airport, Baltimore and Annapolis.

While it’s unconfirmed which service will be providing the transportation, Ratlou confirmed the shuttle won’t be provided by Saferide or any student-lead organization.

The SGA is also expected to take student feedback and usage data to evaluate the program’s initial performance. 

The bill is currently with upper administration, and updates are expected in the Fall 2026 semester.

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By DAVID BOHENICK

Managing Editor