Spring Break
Transit systems offer rides on, off campus
DALLAS DUNCAN For The Red & Black
Issue date: 6/8/08 Section: UGA 101
The University transit system began offering campus service in September of 1966 with a fleet of four Army surplus buses.
Campus transit now boasts 38 weekday buses traversing nine routes, and six night buses on two routes, plus weekend and football transportation. In addition, there are escort vans and disability vans.
The buses and vans go all over campus, downtown to the Arch and down Milledge Avenue. Night routes each stop at apartment complexes.
Campus Transit buses now use bio-diesel, so students help the environment by riding buses as opposed to driving.
Bus driver Kyle Hamilton, a senior from Roswell, primarily drives the East-West night route. He said students benefit from riding Campus Transit not just because it gets them from place to place, but it is a safe way to travel at night without walking the streets alone.
Ron Hamlin, director of Campus Transit, said the University bus system provides several alternatives to driving around Athens. Students can leave their cars at home, and buses pick them up near their dormitories or parking lots.
Students do not even have to take their cars off-campus; they simply can catch a ride on the Athens Transit buses.
Athens Transit has buses that go all around Athens as well as the University campus.
This bus system has notable off-campus stops including downtown Athens, K-Mart, Five Points, the Georgia Square Mall, Wal-Mart, and various schools, hospitals, libraries and apartment complexes. Students are able to get to jobs, go shopping and visit friends all without spending a penny for transportation.
Rising gas prices mean that riding either transit system is an opportunity for students to save money.
Riding the University buses has been paid for by students already, and the Athens Transit system is free for students, faculty and staff with a swipe of their UGA ID cards.
Regardless of whether or not students have a car on campus, the two transit systems should be considered for local travel if walking is not an option.
William Mitchell, a freshman from Leesburg, rides the night buses downtown.
"It is very convenient. You don't have to worry about parking or paying for a place to park," he said. "Also, the night bus drops you off in the middle of downtown which is perfect for eating out."
Campus transit now boasts 38 weekday buses traversing nine routes, and six night buses on two routes, plus weekend and football transportation. In addition, there are escort vans and disability vans.
The buses and vans go all over campus, downtown to the Arch and down Milledge Avenue. Night routes each stop at apartment complexes.
Campus Transit buses now use bio-diesel, so students help the environment by riding buses as opposed to driving.
Bus driver Kyle Hamilton, a senior from Roswell, primarily drives the East-West night route. He said students benefit from riding Campus Transit not just because it gets them from place to place, but it is a safe way to travel at night without walking the streets alone.
Ron Hamlin, director of Campus Transit, said the University bus system provides several alternatives to driving around Athens. Students can leave their cars at home, and buses pick them up near their dormitories or parking lots.
Students do not even have to take their cars off-campus; they simply can catch a ride on the Athens Transit buses.
Athens Transit has buses that go all around Athens as well as the University campus.
This bus system has notable off-campus stops including downtown Athens, K-Mart, Five Points, the Georgia Square Mall, Wal-Mart, and various schools, hospitals, libraries and apartment complexes. Students are able to get to jobs, go shopping and visit friends all without spending a penny for transportation.
Rising gas prices mean that riding either transit system is an opportunity for students to save money.
Riding the University buses has been paid for by students already, and the Athens Transit system is free for students, faculty and staff with a swipe of their UGA ID cards.
Regardless of whether or not students have a car on campus, the two transit systems should be considered for local travel if walking is not an option.
William Mitchell, a freshman from Leesburg, rides the night buses downtown.
"It is very convenient. You don't have to worry about parking or paying for a place to park," he said. "Also, the night bus drops you off in the middle of downtown which is perfect for eating out."
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