Tired of spending cash on cab rides or wearing your feet out to get to and from Shooters II? Some students have found creative ways to get to their favorite neighborhood saloon.
Recently, the C-5 bus has been dropping students off at Shooters in addition to its scheduled stops at Brightleaf Square and Ninth Street. And since last year, a limo has also been transporting students to the late-night hot spot.
The bus trips have spurred rumors that the C-5 will be permanently redirected to stop at Shooters. But Assistant Director of Transit Peter Murphy said no changes to the bus's route have been planned-or that there had been any formal rerouting.
"The C-5 has had the same route for a year and a half-there are certainly no changes being made to this schedule right now," he said.
Student accounts of the past few weekends, however, indicate otherwise. Sophomore Margaret Baughman said that last Saturday night, she asked the bus driver if he could take her and her friends to Shooters, and the driver quickly granted her request.
Within minutes, all on the bus arrived promptly-and drunkenly-to the saloon.
"Even if it isn't official," Baughman said, "it's happening."
The C-5 driver, who asked not to be named, said he has been amenable to students' requests because the redirection is only a minor change in his route.
If they are outside the loop from West Campus to downtown Durham, students may opt for a decked-out limo ride from Bull City Carriage Company.
The company started as a horse-drawn carriage service and has since upgraded to include a limo, which visits Shooters on weekends. The ride, which is not affiliated with the saloon, provides service Wednesday through Saturday, taking up to 10 people to anywhere in the area for $65 an hour.
Though this rate may sound steep, Company Owner and Driver Kenneth Johnson only charges $20 per trip to Shooters, and with his limo seating 10, the investment is just $2 per person. Johnson even explained that prices are often negotiable.
Junior Anthony Marzocca, who rides the limo to Shooters often, said he takes the ride because the price is low with a large group of friends. He added that it arrives faster than a taxi and the driver is good company.
"It's pretty nice as normal limos go," he said. "You're getting what you're paying for."
The limo is also smoker-friendly, which Johnson said is a rarity these days, and is BYOB for those over 21, so they can pre-game in style. A very large selection of chasers and non-alcoholic beverages are also available, he said.
Whether students choose the free ride or the chic one, there are two new beautiful ways to get to Shooters.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.