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Aggie Shuttle offers extended time and routes

By Tazya Williams

The Aggie Shuttle has started the new semester with some adjustments.

This year the evening route is running until 7:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., giving students an extra half hour to get out of class, said Alden Erickson, Aggie Shuttle supervisor, and the south campus route is now running two buses.

The stadium express route runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The campus loop and 800 East runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. The south campus runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The evening route runs from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and is a combination of the daytime routes, Erickson said.

Erickson said there is also a route that goes to the Brigham City campus. This route runs Monday through Thursday leaving at 4 and 6 p.m. and on Fridays it brings people from Brigham to Logan at 3 p.m.

“The Aggie Shuttle is very well accepted, and one of the most popular ways to get to campus,” Erickson said.

Students can go to aggiebus.com and see a map of the bus routes and even see where the buses are on the routes. The map updates every 15 seconds, Erickson said

On average the Aggie Shuttle has around 6,500 people ride a day, equaling 900,000 rides each year. More people are taking advantage of the Aggie Shuttle this year than last. The average wait for the 800 East and stadium routes is every five minutes. The south campus and campus loop routes are about every 12 minutes, Erickson said

“It’s a great way to meet people and it really forces you out of your comfort zone. In the mornings it is really crowded,” said Emily Spendlove, junior majoring in environmental studies.

Erickson said if students want to make it to their class on time then they need to arrive to the bus stop at least 15 minutes early. When everyone tries to show up 10 minutes before class starts the buses are full and it makes for a more chaotic ride. Students also need to let passengers get off before loading the bus and use the rear door for unloading only.

“I like to walk, but when I am running late I’m very appreciative of the Aggie Shuttle,” said A.J. Graham, junior majoring in computer science.

Also available is the charter system. This allows faculty and students to rent the shuttle to take them anywhere in the state of Utah. It is $45 an hour plus $1 per mile. That price includes fuel and driver, Erickson said.

The Aggie Shuttle is supported by student fees and is driven by students.

If anyone has comments or suggestions about the Aggie Shuttle they can contact Erickson at 797-3470 or alden.erickson@aggiemail.usu.edu.

–tazya.williams@aggiemail.usu.edu