KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The UT to West Tennessee initiative provides students who live in Nashville, Jackson and Memphis with a safe, affordable roundtrip bus ride. Buses drop students off and pick them up for all long breaks — Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break.
The program has grown from 80 students in 2023 to 180 students this year. Dez Newcomb, the outreach coordinator for the University of Tennessee Center of Basic Needs, said it's important to provide students with this option.
"This is a financial burden on students and families. Many families maybe can't afford to come to Knoxville to pick their students up. A lot of students don't have access to vehicles. So this takes that burden away," Newcomb said.
Several students said without the bus their only options would be an expensive plane ride or inconveniencing their parents.
"My mom would have to take off work, drive up here and get a hotel. It'd be expensive. We'd figure it out but it wouldn't be easy," said Colin Brooks, a student from Memphis.
Staying on campus also isn't an option. Newcomb said most residence halls shut down over holiday breaks.
"I haven't left the dorm since I got here. On Labor Day, a lot of people on campus were gone. I was still here. It's mostly just been me by myself. I really miss my family. I call them all the time but it's not the same as being there," said Malachi Robinson, a student from Memphis.
Many students said they're grateful to have another way to get home for the holidays. The shuttles left around 9 a.m. Wednesday and will return at 7 p.m. Sunday.