The Lion Traxx shuttle service is changing its hours of operation and looking to hire student drivers to more effectively respond to student demand.
“Effective after Fall Break, the Lion Traxx will change its original hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., to bring in more riders earlier,” said Gary Prescott, director of shuttle services. “We haven’t had a lot of passengers in the six to seven hour; we’ve only moved four students that time every night. The demand is more in the morning than in the afternoon.”
The shuttles will still be running Monday through Thursday, though some of them will have students at the wheel.
“Within the next few weeks, we will be incorporating a new student driver program into the Lion Traxx,” said Prescott. “If there are any students out there with a current commercial driver’s license and are looking for a job, they should watch out for the posting.”
Because the duties go beyond those of a conventional student worker the pay range will be $8.50 to $9 per hour. According to Prescott, other than having the CDL, no experience is required.
“They will go through a training program with the department once they’re hired,” said Prescott. “We’ll make sure they are well qualified before they’re behind the wheel.”
Even if a student lacks the CDL, Shuttle Services will help them become certified.
“They can contact me, and I’ll take them through all of the necessary steps,” Prescott said. “We can’t fund the license, but we can provide all of the necessary material to pass the test and get the license.”
Prescott revealed that the decision to hire students was made after a drop in enrollment led to less revenue through student fees.
“We were unable to re-hire our third full-time driver,” Prescott said. “Mr. Rufus Addison was not laid-off. He found another job and left of his own accord. But the student program, which is used also at LSU and ULL, is a way to effectively transport our students in a more economic manner.”
Students interested in driver positions can contact Prescott via email at [email protected] or by phone at 985-549-2877.