For the third year in a row, Elon is offering regional shuttles as a transportation alternative for students who are going home for Thanksgiving.

According to Michael Williams, director of the Moseley Center, the once popular shuttles – which travel to the Atlanta and Washington, D.C. areas – are not garnering much of a response.

"Response is slower than last year," Williams said. "There are about 18 students signed up for each shuttle."

The shuttle to Washington, D.C., began three years ago, just after the Sept. 11 attacks. "A lot of parents were concerned about air travel to the D.C. area," Williams said.

One year later, some parents from the Atlanta area spearheaded a campaign for a similar shuttle option for its students. Each shuttle can hold 47 students and will depart at 4 p.m. Nov. 25 from the Mosley Center parking lot. A ticket on the shuttle – one way or round trip – costs $90 dollars and can be purchased at the Bursar’s office.

Even before Sept. 11 there were frequent air delays around the Thanksgiving holidays. U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater issued a statement in 2000 saying that the greatest number of flight delays and cancellations took place on the Monday and Tuesday before the holiday, and the Monday following it.

In 1999 on the Monday and Tuesday before the holiday, a total of 13.1 percent of flights were delayed more than one hour while another 5.1 percent of flights were canceled. Also, Williams said traffic is notorious for being bad surrounding the holiday.