UTS Bus Route Re-Structuring Related Articles from the Cavalier Daily:
- UTS Considers Altering Bus Routes to Enhance Service
(Cavalier Daily, 10/23/2007)
- UTS Representatives Seek Student Input for New Transportation Plan
(Cavalier Daily, 10/24/2007)
- UTS On the Move: Analyzing the New UTS Routes to Take Effect in Fall 2008
(Cavalier Daily, 11/9/2007)
- UTS Route Proposal Prompts Student Concern
(Cavalier Daily, 11/30/2007)
- UTS Officials Iron Out Bus Route Changes
(Cavalier Daily, 3/20/2008)
Lead Edit: "A Route to Efficiency"
(Cavalier Daily, 3/20/2008)
Letter to the Editor: "Unsatisfactory Bus Coverage"
(Cavalier Daily, 3/21/2008)
Letter to the Editor: "Ignoring U-Heights"
(Cavalier Daily, 3/21/2008)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is UTS changing its route structure?
2. When will the changes take effect?
3. Which specific areas will be affected by the change in routes?
4. UTS has been serving University Heights for many years. There are many residents who count on UTS rather than driving or walking. Why eliminate service? Why not continue or reduce service?
5. When and where will more information be available?
1. Why is UTS changing its route structure? (back to top)
The routes have not substantially changed in over 20 years and therefore have not made proper accommodations for the changing population densities and conditions at the University and surrounding areas. It is therefore critical that UTS routes now adapt to better serve the UVA community. This route change proposal is aimed at providing a more effective service package.
2. When will the changes take effect? (back to top)
The route changes will take effect for the Fall 2008 semester. The new routes will begin service on
Monday, August 11th, 2008.
3. Which specific areas will be affected by the change in routes? (back to top)
The following locations will see enhanced services:
Hereford College: Service to be provided along Hereford Drive.
Alderman Road Housing: Service to be provided to new First Year Dorm and to the Webb/Watson/Dobie/Balz Dorm area on and along Observatory Hill.
Lambeth Field Housing: A bus stop will be added on the northbound side of Emmet Street (Route 29) thus restoring 2-way service.
Faulkner Housing Area and Copeley Housing Area (III/IV Dorms): Night service to be provided in both directions, to and from Central Grounds.
Emmet/Ivy Garage and University Hall Parking Lots: Enhanced cycle times for parking lot shuttles, likely leading to more timely and reliable commuter service.
System Wide Enchancement: Shift transition to night service later in the evening, leading to more frequent service on thoroughgoing routes later in the evening.
The following services will be eliminated:
Millmont Street: Service to Barracks Road Shopping Center will be provided near the current Arlington Boulevard bus stop near McDonalds.
Alderman Road between McCormick Road and Ivy Roads
Ivy Road between Alderman Road and Colonnade Drive
Colonnade Drive (University Heights)
4. UTS has been serving University Heights (U-Heights) for many years. There are many residents who count on UTS rather than driving or walking. Why eliminate service? Why not continue or reduce service? (back to top)
UTS has been providing transit service from University Heights to Grounds for many years and many residents ride the bus rather than drive or walk. Providing varied transportation options and reducing single-occupancy vehicle traffic are key initiatives to which UTS is committed, with transit service to on-Grounds areas being a priority. For off-Grounds areas, UTS must consider how to apply limited resources. In the specific case of University Heights, there are riders at the end point of the route, but ridership is extremely low along the entire stretch of the route on Alderman Road north of McCormick and Ivy Road west of Alderman. Therefore, service to the end point (University Heights) cannot effectively or efficiently be folded into an existing route that has continuous density along the entire route.
5. When and where will more information be available? (back to top)
The route changes will be finalized in the spring of 2008 and will be advertised to the University Community shortly thereafter. In the meantime, you can visit this website to find any and all updates on the status of the proposal.
More Questions? Please contact us at transportation@virginia.edu.
