UWG News Archive

New shuttle services announced

August 15, 2003

CARROLLTON, GA - In an effort to continuously improve services to students, the Department of Public Safety has redesigned the campus shuttle routes and a new off campus route has been added.

According to Tom Mackel, director of Public Safety, a transportation consultant was retained to examine the campus system and make recommendations on how to improve service. Last year the campus shuttles provided service to an average of 10,500 riders per week.

The new routes, incorporating the consultant’s recommendations, create a system that gives students more flexibility in getting around campus. Beginning on the first day of class, four buses will operate on campus, with an additional bus transporting students to campus from several of the local apartment complexes.

“It is the goal of the off campus shuttle to eliminate 300 or more cars from campus daily,” Mackel explained. “This will not only lessen the need to build more parking lots but will also lessen traffic congestion and reduce air pollution.”

The shuttle that will service several of the apartment complexes located near campus will begin service at 7:15 a.m. and operate continuously until 4 p.m. The apartments serviced by the shuttle include Rivers Edge, River Place, Carrollton Place, Governors Court and Chateau.

These complexes are working with the University to encourage their residents to utilize the shuttle and avoid bringing their cars onto campus. They have also made a financial contribution to help West Georgia defray some of the cost of providing this service.

The drop off and pickup point for the off campus shuttle is the TLC. Mackel predicts a 10-minute time frame from the time a student is picked up at his or her apartment to being dropped off at the TLC .

“This is substantially quicker than the time needed to drive to campus and find parking,” Mackel said.

The shuttle schedule is available from the management of each complex or from Public Safety.

The intra-campus shuttles are designated as the Red Route and the Blue Route. The route the shuttle will travel is displayed on the marquis on the front of the bus. The Red Route circles the campus in a clockwise route while the Blue runs counterclockwise. A Red and Blue shuttle begins a run at 7:20 a.m. with the second Red and Blue starting at 7:30 a.m. All four will run until 4 p.m. when the number of shuttles is reduced to a Red and Blue.

The remaining Blue operates until 7:30 p.m. and the Red remains in operation until 1 a.m. All shuttle service stops on Friday at 3 p.m. but a Red Route resumes operation on Sunday night from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

According to Mackel, the Blue and Red Routes service the same stops on campus, but from different directions. This overlap allows for a bus to arrive at a site about every five minutes.

“By taking a Red Route from the Z-6, new band field lot or the Public Safety lot, a student can be at the TLC or quad in about five minutes,” he noted. “After class, they can cross the street and take a Blue directly back to their car. This will save them time and gas compared to waiting in the lots across from the TLC for someone to leave.”

Students parking in Tyus can ride the Blue Route directly to UCC and a Red will return them to Tyus. Pickup schedules are posted on each shelter along with maps showing the full routes.

The University is also looking for ways to maximize use of existing parking facilities and lessen the need to build more. Constructing parking lots consume limited funding and land resources. With increased enrollment, parking will be at a premium and students are encouraged to utilize the parking lots on the west side of campus.

For schedules and maps of the shuttle routes, check the shuttle shelters on campus.

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