Private shuttle service for students launching this January in Rexburg

Rexburg students attending Brigham Young University-Idaho who don’t own cars have to walk or get a ride from a friend, but that could be changing.

A new service called Rexburg Connect hopes to change to that by providing shuttle bus services for students. “Rexburg isn’t that huge, however when it’s winter time or when you have to walk, it’s huge,” said Sam Vargas, CEO and founder of Rexburg Connect. “We want people to know, students specifically, that you can get from point A to point B to point C to point D, reliably, on time, and in a warm fashion,” Vargas said.

Rexburg connect plans to offer several routes including a campus route, a mid-day shopping route, and an evening entertainment route that will connect students to nearby businesses entertainment hot spots.

Vargas says several business have already agreed to provide 20 percent – 30 percent discounts for students who use the shuttle bus service. “It’s a transit pass with more than just benefits,” said Vargas

City leaders say they’re all for a private business providing transportation options for students. “Transport service at this time is just what we’re looking at, and just what we hope for,” said Christopher Mann, a member of the Rexburg City Council. “We need business growth and we want business growth, and as these private industries that come in with plans that would enhance that growth, we’re excited to listen to them and do all we can to help them.”

Rexburg Connect will start offering its services in January 2016 with plans to expand it’s service in the future to Rexburg Residents as well as routs to Idaho Falls in future years. Passes for BYU-I students start at $199 and are charged on a semester basis.