Inclement Weather & Emergencies

Buses break down, drivers get sick, and rain, ice, and snow create hazardous driving conditions. Delays are unavoidable at times, and cancellations may be necessary. During the winter, the likelihood of cancellations and stranded passengers increases. However, procedures are in place to try to keep such situations to a minimum, and we want you to know what we can do and what we feel you must be prepared to do.

• The security offices on all three campuses are the only departments open 24 hours, and they serve as clearinghouses for information about transportation problems.
• Bryn Mawr's Department of Campus Safety is the primary resource center because the service operates out of Bryn Mawr. In case of bad weather, Bryn Mawr College will have information about transportation and closing on extension 610-526-7310. 
• Students should call this number, 610-526-7310, rather than the direct security line. 
• Drivers have been instructed to call Bryn Mawr's office to report mechanical breakdowns or delays in reporting to work. Bryn Mawr's dispatcher will notify the other two security departments when a problem arises and provide updated information as it becomes available.
• The Bryn Mawr dispatcher also has on file a list of backup drivers for weekends and has been instructed to make every effort to reach another driver so that service can resume as quickly as possible, weather permitting. This means passengers experiencing bus service delays on campus should check with that college's security department first.
• We must point out that security's role in the transportation backup system is extremely limited. The security departments at all three colleges are very small, and their responsibility is, first and foremost, campus safety and security. Officers cannot leave their posts to pick up students who want transportation to their home campus.
• Since this is so, people who use the three-college transportation system must be prepared to make alternative arrangements if the system breaks down completely.
• The first resource is, of course, public transportation.
• Several taxi companies will provide transportation between Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore.
• Students will be reimbursed, but only if they take public transportation. Requests for reimbursement should be made to the Office of the Dean of the Undergraduate College. Requests should include the amount (receipts should be provided) and the date, time, and reason public transportation was taken.

To Swarthmore: Take the R5 either from Bryn Mawr or Haverford to 30th Street Station and then the R3 from 30th Street to Swarthmore. 
From Swarthmore: The last weekday R3 train from Swarthmore to 30th Street leaves at 12:11 a.m. At 30th Street take the 12:19 a.m. R5 train to Haverford or Bryn Mawr.

To Swarthmore: Take the 105 from either Bryn Mawr or Haverford to 69th Street and then the 109 from 69th Street to Swarthmore.

From Swarthmore: Take the 5:45 p.m. 109 bus from Swarthmore to 69th Street to catch the last weekday run at 6:00 p.m. of the 105 bus to Haverford and Bryn Mawr. There is a later bus, the 103, from 69th Street, but its last stop is Ardmore. Take the 7:35 p.m. 109 bus from Swarthmore to 69th Street to catch the last weekday run at 8:37 p.m. of the 103 bus to Ardmore.

You can contact these companies via their app on your smart phones.

Main Line Taxi (610-272-1000) will transport Bryn Mawr or Haverford students to Swarthmore as long as it is not understaffed. It will not pick up students at Swarthmore. Its operating hours are 5:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. It will take three to four passengers in one cab and charge approximately $30.00 one way. 

County Cab Co. in Upper Darby (610-622-8000) will pick up and deliver between Bryn Mawr/Haverford and Swarthmore, provided the passengers are at the designated pick-up spot when the cab arrives. Their operating hours are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will take up to four passengers in one cab, and they charge approximately $30 one way. (The charge is per trip, not per passenger, and both companies advise that prices are subject to change without notice.)

If you are unable to take public transportation or a taxi and cannot find a place to stay, please go to the campus security office for assistance.

We realize that should the service break down altogether, some believe that it is the duty of all three colleges to make sure that every student will be transported to her/his home campus. While this is certainly desirable, it is not possible. We do not have staff that can be released to make special trips, and we do not feel our students are at risk if they are on one of our three campuses and have to remain overnight. The Security Offices at all three colleges are open 24 hours a day, so there is always someone to turn to for information.

We are committed to providing as reliable and safe a transportation system as circumstances allow. However, it is important for us all to recognize that breakdowns will occur and that we must plan accordingly.

The following are the drop-off and pickup points for Bi-Co and Tri-Co Runs.

• Bryn Mawr: Merion Avenue Bus Stop
• Haverford: Stokes Hall and the stop sign by the Lloyd Lot.
• Swarthmore: Before 7 p.m., the circle in front of Parish Hall. After 7 p.m., the Bond Parking Lot.

Public Safety Office dispatchers will be notified if the buses cannot run because of hazardous driving conditions. Please look at the memo I've included here for the complete policy.

The regular schedule will be maintained on weekdays during the exam period. A special Blue Bus schedule for weekends will be issued separately.

If you leave belongings on one of the buses, check with the bus drivers and then contact the Department of Campus Safety at Bryn Mawr 610-526-7911.

If you have problems with the buses' operation, please contact Steve Green, Director of Transportation, Ward building, Bryn Mawr College 610-526-7570.