Kent State University’s Fleet Services has purchased two 15-passenger minibuses that can be used by departments for university travel.
The new minibuses are equipped with overhead storage, backup cameras and larger windows for better visibility.
“The interiors are very spacious and comfortable,” says Nicole Corll, associate director for University Facilities and Management. “The goal of adding minibuses to the fleet is to provide a service to the students, faculty and staff to increase and enhance transportation options for group outings.”
Individuals must be at least 21 years old and complete training to operate a minibus.
To initiate a rental, individuals must go online and obtain the rental documentation, which is a formal reservation request form. Fleet Services’ staff will conduct a license check on all first-time renters to determine if the user’s driver’s license meets the minimum of six or fewer points that are required to receive rental training. An in-state license check costs $9.50, and an out-of-state license check costs $19.
Fleets Services and Environmental Health and Safety Services will facilitate training classes that will last approximately four hours and cost $106.25 per person. The length of training classes may vary depending on how many people are participating in the class. The maximum capacity for a class is four people.
Training incudes completing a written exam and a maneuverability test in order to ensure proper vehicle operation. A set schedule of training hours also will be available on the Fleet Services website.
Once an individual passes the training, he or she can rent and drive a minibus. The vehicles will be available for pickup and drop-off at the Fleet Services building located at 1781 Summit St. in Kent.
Rental costs are as follows:
- 24-hour rental: $150
- Weekly rental: $800
- Monthly rental: $3,000
More detailed information on the minibuses, including the training schedule and rates, is available on the Fleet Services website at www.kent.edu/ufm/fleet-services. You also can contact John Croop, Fleet Services superintendent, at 330-672-0818 or jcroop@kent.edu.