An expanded shuttle system will transport Stephen F. Austin State University students along a circular route between six popular destinations on campus this fall.
The new Jack Track system will employ four new climate-controlled buses, each seating 24 passengers, that are ADA approved with a lift ramp and capacity for two wheelchairs. The buses will run continuously from 7:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Our current shuttle only provides transportation between the commuter parking lot and one stop on the southeastern part of campus,” said Bob Coker, manager of transportation and special services for SFA’s Physical Plant Department. “Our new expanded service will provide access to numerous locations at the university, providing a benefit not only to commuters but also to our on-campus residents.”
The new shuttle system will begin on Monday, Aug. 27, the first class day of the fall semester. Stops on the route will include Lot 46 near Hall 20; Wilson Drive near the Art Building; Wilson Drive near the Student Recreation Center; Raguet Street near the Norton H.P.E. Complex; Vista Drive near the Baker Pattillo Student Center; and the intersection of Raguet and East College streets.
A new evening shuttle service will be introduced beginning Sunday, Aug. 26.
“We are very excited about the new Jack Track evening bus,” said Jane Wilcox, director of parking and traffic. “This new bus with evening hours will help to establish a sense of university community and reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on campus.”
Hours for the Jack Track evening bus will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with operations continuing until 1:30 a.m. The route for the evening shuttle will remain the same, except the H.P.E. Complex stop will be replaced with a stop on Baker Street near Lumberjack Village.
The buses will be equipped with NextBus technology, which allows passengers to use a smart phone to determine when the next bus will arrive. “Students can locate the nearest bus stop and time their arrival to keep waiting time to a minimum,” Coker said.
According to Wilcox, the Jack Track buses also will be available for charter by summer programs and camps hosted by SFA. “There are many summer opportunities for different camps and organizations to transport their guests around campus.”
A printable version of the Jack Track evening route for fall 2012 and spring 2013 may be accessed by clicking on the “maps” link at sfasu.edu/parking. A comprehensive map showing both daytime and evening routes will be available at each bus stop and on all buses.
