On campus and W.I.N.G.S shuttles adjust times and stops

The four shuttles available on campus will be changing running times and adding stops this school year.

Transportation supervisor Kirk Sandfort said one of the reasons for the changes is to accommodate busy times.

“[All] of these ideas came from students,” he said. “There will be more ways to get to and from the UC, which is one of the busiest stops.”

The red route shuttle has shifted running time from to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It previously ran from early morning to late afternoon. It will still be the only shuttle to run Monday through Friday. The River Campus route has added a stop at Dempster between the MMTF and Memorial Hall stops.

“It gives people another option to get to Dempster,” he said.

The shuttle averaged more than 10,000 riders each week last year, which was a 7 percent increase from the previous school year, Sandfort said. The on-campus shuttles are partially grant funded and the costs do not come out of student fees, Sandfort said. The changes to the red route and River Campus routes are not costing more because the red route only shifted hours and the River Campus route traveled by Dempster in the old route.

The W.I.N.G.S (When In Need Go Shuttle) has added a stop to Hobby Lobby by any rider upon request. Sandfort said the idea for the stop came from art and interior design majors.

The W.I.N.G.S shuttle also will have a day of operation during fall, winter and spring break this year.

“That way if you’re stuck on campus as an athlete or international student, you at least have one option,” Sandfort said. “We’re going to run at least one day [during breaks] to give people an option.”

W.I.N.G.S is funded by student government and saw a 25 percent increase in riders last year, Sandfort said. The shuttle will begin service Sunday, Aug. 19.

Sandfort said there will be new signs at shuttle stops with the updated routes and times. The green route will not be changing.

To get more information on shuttle stops and times, visit semo.edu/transit.