Vinyl Wraps Allow Shuttle Service to Double as Mobile Message Provider

By Jeff Murphy, January 26, 2016

WARRENSBURG, MO – Motorists traveling between Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit are getting a lot of exposure to the University of Central Missouri, with UCM finding a creative way to take the Learning to a Greater Degree message into the streets and highways of west central Missouri .

Beginning in January, the university put into service two buses that are wrapped in vinyl graphics that feature university marks and photos. These vehicles, provided by Apple Bus, are used to transport students from the Warrensburg campus to Lee’s Summit and back as part of a shuttle service for UCM students, which is now in its third year of operation.

Design and photography for the wraps were made possible through the Office of University Relations, which worked in cooperation with the transportation service provider and the Office of Student Experience and Engagement, which coordinates the shuttle bus program. Gator Graphics in Warrensburg placed the wraps over the yellow school buses to give them a custom look incorporating UCM’s graphic identity and red and black school colors.

Embedded into the graphics are the words, “Learning to a Greater Degree,” which is how UCM articulates its strategic position as an institution committed to engaged learning, future-focused academics, developing a worldly perspective, and a culture of service. Along with photos of university students in graduation attire is a website where students can go for additional information about UCM.

“This has truly been a team effort that involved cooperation between different campus units and our transportation provider, Apple Bus,” said Shari Bax, vice provost for student experience and engagement. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to find an additional benefit for our shuttle bus program. We’re not only providing a vital service for students who need transportation to and from classes at UCM – Lee’s Summit, but as the buses make their routes several times a day, we have the opportunity to remind other travelers about opportunities at UCM.”

The shuttle bus service is a pay per ride/per direction opportunity that enables students to travel betweenUCM’s main campus in Warrensburg to UCM – Lee’s Summit, and back. The cost for students is $5 each way. To learn more about the service, including a schedule for spring 2016, visit ucmo.edu/shuttle.