Shuttle provides free rides downtown

The Student Government downtown shuttle bus is operating again this year, providing free service for University students, faculty and staff to the north side of the city on Friday and Saturday nights.

Buses leave Regenstein Library every 90 minutes from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., when the last run begins. They travel to Belmont Avenue and Broadway Street, then head south to several points along Clark Street. On return trips, the buses will stop at Shoreland and Broadview residence halls before returning to Regenstein.

"We decided to reintroduce the service because it was so popular last year," said Sheffali Singh, a fourth-year College student who heads the Student Government student services committee. "The function of my committee is to evaluate student needs, and safe transportation downtown is definitely an important need."

Singh recommends that shuttle users carry their University IDs and be prepared to show them when boarding the bus downtown. "Although the service is free, drivers are authorized to request UCIDs when they feel it's appropriate. When they're downtown, they may card people."

Singh also suggests people carry a shuttle schedule, so they know when and where to catch the bus downtown. Schedules are available outside the Student Government office in the basement of Reynolds Club.

Shuttle service will be available through Friday, Dec. 17, and will resume Friday, Jan. 7.