For the opening and closing of school, holiday weekends, and long vacation breaks, the school will provide a shuttle bus to and from 30th Street Train Station, Philadelphia Airport, and the Port Authority in New York City. One month prior to the holiday weekend or break, students are required to sign up for transportation online on Blackboard. The link will be closed 48 hours prior to travel. All travel information must be provided on the online form for airport travel. The student must provide the name of the airline, flight numbers, and flight departure and arrival times prior to taking the shuttle. Please note: There is a $25.00 penalty for late or no sign up.
View the transportation schedule for the 2011-12 school year.
**Please note: If you are planning on using school transportation for the September 5 opening of school, you must call to reserve a seat by August 30. Please contact Karen Weil at 610-705-1286. Read more about times and locations.
Shuttle details for departure/returns for Philadelphia and NYC:
Shuttles will depart approximately a half hour after classes end.For exact departure times and costs, call the Residential Life Office at 610-705-1286. The trips to the Philadelphia Airport and 30th Street Station require at least 90 minutes (1- 1/2 hours) commuting time and the cost is $50.00 one way. The trip to New York City requires a commute of 2- 1/2 to 3 hours and the cost is $70.00 one way. Please make travel plans accordingly allowing excess time for security and traffic delays.
Students returning on the New York City shuttle will meet at the Port Authority on 8th Avenue and Forty-Second Street. Students returning on the Philadelphia Airport shuttle should meet their chaperone at the baggage claim of Terminal “C.” Students returning from the 30th Street Station should meet their chaperone at the “fallen angel statue” in the center of the concourse. Students who show up for our pickup without having signed up will be on standby.
We recommend that students meeting school transportation carry the school’s security phone number with them (610-327-3060). This is the number they should call if their plane is delayed or if they are unable to locate the driver, etc.
Once the weekend or break has begun, late transportation arrangements can no longer be made. **Please do not e-mail or leave a message for the School to pick up a student if he or she did not arrange transportation and receive confirmation in advance.
Personal transportation arrangements are to be made in advance so as to not miss classes. In the event a student misses classes, the absence will be unexcused. Students who sign up for transportation and fail to report for their ride may still be charged. The Hill School cannot always make individual trips to and from the airport/train station if a student fails to make the proper arrangements in time.
Airline policy/chaperones:
Due to changes in airline policy we will no longer be able to offer airport shuttle service for children under the age of 15 who are traveling alone. Airline policy now requires children between the ages of 8 – 14 be accompanied by a chaperone who must sign a waiver and stay with the child at the gate until it is time to board the airplane. Unfortunately, The Hill School is unable to commit numerous chaperones for an undetermined amount of time, so children who fall into this age range must find an alternative mode of transportation to and from the airport.
Other modes of transportation:
We have contacted Sterling Limousine, a service many in our community use if the scheduled shuttles do not fit their flight schedules, concerning this policy. We were happy to find that they were well aware of this airline policy and do provide such a service for other schools. There is an additional fee, but they only use their most experienced drivers to accompany children in these situations. You may contact Sterling Limousine at www.sterlinglimoservice.com or at one of the phone numbers listed below, or any other company that provides a similar service for future arrangements.
Special transportation arrangements:
Special transportation arrangements should be made through one of the private companies listed below, or by contacting Terry Kauffman in the Hill Security/Transportation Office: 610-326-1000, ext. 7265 or 610-705-1265.
Sterling Limousine 1-866-757-7433 toll free in the U.S., 610-278-6860 or 215-750-6860
Celebrity Limousine 1-877-651-2800 toll free in the U.S., 610-651-2800 or Fax 610-651-2800
Capitol Trailways 610-323-7401
Bieber Bus (Reading, PA to NYC) 610-374-3182
Pottstown Cab 610-327-1111
NOTE: The Hill School transportation departs at scheduled times; the school is not responsible for transporting students who are late to the bus or van pick-up locations.