A shuttle service providing transportation from the Syracuse University campus to the University Hill homes of SU students, faculty and staff will begin this Friday evening (Jan. 25). The SU (Shuttle U) Home is a newly formed pilot program administered by SU's Department of Public Safety.
"The Chancellor heard the concerns of the students who reside off campus loud and clear, and provided the Department of Public Safety with the resources to start the SU Home program," says Wesley Bird, assistant director of public safety. "The shuttle will provide our off-campus students who reside within the geographic boundaries of the program, and who don't live on existing bus routes, transportation from the campus to their homes." The service is also available to faculty and staff members who live within the program's established boundaries.
The shuttle service is provided by a van capable of transporting up to six passengers. Most of the employees operating the shuttle will be SU students trained by the Department of Public Safety. The shuttle service will run from 8:15 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. To use the shuttle, riders must go to the lobby of the Department of Public Safety, located in Sims Hall, and show their SU I.D.
The service will depart from Sims Hall and operate within the following contiguous boundaries: East Raynor Avenue to Stadium Place; Oakland Street to Fineview Place; Almond Street to Harrison Street; Townsend Street to East Genesee Street; Westcott Street to East Colvin Street; Comstock Avenue to Jamesville Avenue; Ainsley Drive to East Brighton Avenue; Thurber Street to Jamesville Avenue; and East Colvin Street to Comstock Avenue.
The shuttle service will not transport students, faculty or staff to Manley Field House or South Campus, as bus service is available to both locations on a regular basis. The shuttle service will also not go beyond the stated geographic boundaries.
"People should think of the SU Home program as an enhancement to the excellent transportation system already in place for SU students, faculty and staff," Bird says. "We want to encourage our students to use the existing Centro bus service whenever possible. If they live on an existing bus route, they should take the bus-it's safe and convenient."
There is no set time for how long each shuttle trip will take, Bird says, as the home addresses of the occupants being transported will determine the route of travel once the van leaves Sims Hall.
"This is a new pilot program for the University community," Bird says. "We welcome feedback."
