The future of the Panther Express is uncertain after the operator of the shuttle bus system terminated its contract with Eastern Wednesday.

H&H Transportation of Charleston and the university mutually agreed at a meeting Wednesday night to terminate H&H’s contract since the company could not provide the bus service at the price they bid, said Shelly Flock, director of media relations and publications, in a press release.

H&H, who won the shuttle bus contract for the Spring semester last August with a bid of $53,998, began running two buses on Jan. 8, before a contract was finalized. Subsequently, the company advised the university that an error had been made in their bid and they could not provide the bus service for the price they bid, the press release stated.

As a result, H&H met with university officials and members of the Student Government last month to request a revision to the contract. Specifically, the company asked for at least $20,000 more than the original bid, Flock said.

Because the university does not have sufficient funds to meet the higher costs requested by H&H, the shuttle bus contract will be terminated as of 4 p.m. today, a press release said.

The two Panther Express buses will continue to shuttle students to places such as Mattoon, Wal-Mart Supercenter, the Square, and Wilb Walker’s until that time, said Adam Weyhaupt, speaker of the Student Senate.

During Spring Break next week, Flock said the university will work to find another company to operate the bus system.

However, Flock said she had “no idea” if a new company could be found by March 19, when classes resume.

“We are in the process of negotiating with other companies for services,” Flock said. “We hope to have this resolved by the time students come back.”

“Because we know how important the shuttle bus is to students, the university and representatives from Student Government will be working diligently over Spring Break to … avoid any interruption in service, ensuring that students receive the services they paid for,” said Lou Hencken, vice president for student affairs, a press release stated.

Currently, every Eastern student is charged $5.60 per semester to pay for the Panther Express. Flock said the contract termination would have no effect on student fees this semester.

“Students will still be paying the same amount,” she said.

Flock said she is currently not aware of any plans by the university to take legal action against H&H Transportation.

“Our primary goal right now is just to ensure that there is no inconvenience to students,” Flock said.

The decision on whether to take legal action rests with University President Carol Surles in consultation with the university’s legal counsel, she said.