Shuttle system makes changes
Students living in South Campus Residence Halls are getting a leg up this year via the Aggie Shuttle.
A new route, set to begin operating Monday, will now pass in the vicinity of the Merrill Library, 500 East and 500 North.
“They ought to get the best service possible,” said Aggie Shuttle supervisor Alden Erickson. “We’re finally taking care of people at South Campus.”
The South Campus Express is now part of the Aggie Shuttle’s four-route system. In addition, there are the 8th East Express, Stadium Express and the Campus Housing Loop.
The old Housing Loop and Campus Loop routes were combined to form the Campus Housing Loop, which will trace a counter-clockwise path from the former routes.
Erickson said buses will now be running both directions on 700 North, the main artery through campus. He said with an increase of student fees – 50 cents per student per semester – dedicated to the Aggie Shuttle system, three buses were purchased from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nev.
Between 7,000 and 8,500 people ride the Aggie Shuttle each day, and Erickson said that number should increase dramatically. With such an increase, more people will need information about the shuttle.
“We’ve hired people to hand out maps and take care of questions,” Erickson said.
They will be available at several stops along the shuttle routes, and the maps are color-coded by route.
Erickson said the shuttles should run smoothly and efficiently.
“There should be a bus at every stop every 15 minutes, if not every 10 minutes,” he said.
The Aggie Shuttle begins operation at 7 a.m. and receives peak ridership until 5 p.m., when the shuttle follows an evening route until 9 p.m.
Residents of the neighborhood through which the South Campus Express will pass knew very little about the new route, but said the route will be beneficial.
Coming home from class will now be a little easier for John Swensen, a senior majoring in electrical engineering, who lives around the corner from the new stop. He said he is less-likely to take the shuttle to campus than from it.
“If it had gone straight through campus [on 700 North] I would take it,” Swensen said. “I can take the short hike up the hill. But for people who come and park, it’s a different issue.”
Parking is now unavailable on 600 East for about 200 feet from the corner of 400 North, the location of the new bus stop.
Nola Collier, a fourth-year vocal instructor at Utah State University, lives across the street from the new stop. She said 600 East is a busy street without having a bus route.
“I don’t know how much difference a bus would make,” she said, laughing.
Collier said although she wouldn’t use the Aggie Shuttle, the voice students who come to her home may find it useful.
“If it helps students, I’m all for it,” she said.
Erickson said each bus will have advertising space which can be used by university groups. He also said he welcomes student comments on the shuttle system. For ad rates or to comment on the Aggie Shuttle, Erickson can be reached at 797-3470.
-jmdo@cc.usu.edu