Moving to Prime Time

As most Yalies know, the ever-amusing Ernie is absent from his post at Wawa. But in order to avoid a complete Wa-withdrawal, Ernie still visits on occasion, and his presence is marked by a red van outside the store--for Ernie is now a van driver for Prime Time Service.

Prime Time Service is a new shuttle service company in Connecticut, which provides transportation to area airports. Current service travels only to JFK or LaGuardia, though by early November Hartford's
Bradley Airport will likely be on the list as well.

Prime Time's projected service to Bradley could save Yale students a lot of time and hassle. Last spring, United Airlines cancelled the only jet service available to and from New Haven, complicating travel arrangements for many students. Since then, Bradley has been the closest airport with jet service, but getting there requires a lengthy bus trip with several stops and a layover.

Last spring, Yale subsidized discounts for students to be picked up from Phelps Gate and taken to Tweed and Bradley. It was a one-time service, and Yale has no plans to revive it.

With service to Bradley, Prime Time would be the most efficient means of getting students to area airports. Darlene Corgan, the travel manager for Yale's Travel Services, endorsed Prime Time as "a good company" and hopes "they will start service to Bradley soon."

Prime Time's main competition is the existing Connecticut Limousine, which serves the New York and Newark airports. Connecticut Limousine ran into financial straits last year when it defaulted on some of its loans. Joel Schiavone, the former owner, who also owns a large string of buildings on Chapel St., sold Connecticut Limousine last year. Neither Joel Schiavone nor the new owners were available for comments.

Because of Connecticut Limousine's precarious financial situtation, the former CEO and vice president of Connecticut Limousine left and formed the first franchise of Prime Time in Connecticut. Based in Los Angeles, Prime Time is an established
shuttle company in southern California that hopes to expand nationally in the form of franchises.

Prime Time is not serving students on a written contractual basis with Yale University. The vice-president of the Connecticut franchise of Prime Time, who was the former vice-president of Connecticut Limousine, said "We just want the opportunity to be the choice of Yale students."

Prime Time undercuts Connecticut Limousine's prices and does not make as many stops. In addition, Prime Time will pick students up at Phelps Gate and offer a discount when a student shows Yale ID.

Depending on whether or not the new owners of Connecticut Limousine can remedy the company's woes, Prime Time may be the only future alternative to taxis and trains for students.

Ernie was not available for comment.