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University Transit Service (UTS) Fifteen student drivers started a pilot program with four rented buses in 1972,  at the University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today UTS has a fleet of over 30 buses and 140 drivers serving the UVA community. UTS provides service to more than 3 million passengers per year to multiple destinations across the University of Virginia campus, University of Virginia Health System, housing facilities and private and public chartered events.

Routes


The University Transit Service designed routes based on thorough research to provide specific service to diverse groups of passengers. The following are the seven University Transit Service routes:

Northline Connector
The Northline Connector provides service to the dorm housing areas, Central Grounds, and North Grounds. The Northline Connector is also the only route that services the Barracks Road Shopping Center. The Northline Connector operates daily. The North Connector follows the following route: University of Virginia Chapel -- Barracks Road Shopping Center -- University Hall -- Alderman Library -- Hereford College -- University of Virginia Chapel.

University Loop
The University Loop runs the same route in two directions to provide bi-directional service to Central Grounds, off-grounds housing areas such as Madison/Preston, 14th Street, Rugby Road, and the University of Virginia Hospital system. The University Loop consists of an Inner and Outer Loop. University Loop operates daily. The Inner University Loop follows the following route: University of Virginia Chapel --Madison/Preston -- UVA Health System -- Scott Stadium -- University of Virginia Chapel. The Outer University Loop follows the following route: Alderman Library -- Scott Stadium -- UVA Health System -- Madison/Preston-- Alderman Library.

Green Route
The Green route provides service primarily to hospital workers who park in U-Hall or the Emmett-Ivy Garage (EIG). It also provides access to Grounds by way of Emmet Street. Due to traffic conditions and ridership demands, the Green route has a varying number of buses on route at any given time. The Green Route is one of the Commuter Routes. The Green rate operates Monday through Friday. The Green Route follows the following route: UVA Health System -- Central Grounds Garage -- Emmet/Ivy Garage -- U-Hall -- UVA Health System.

Stadium Hospital Shuttle (SHS)
The Stadium Hospital Shuttle serves commuters by connecting the University of Virginia Hospital to the Scott Stadium Parking area and garage. Stadium Hospital Service operates Monday through Friday. The Stadium Hospital Shuttle is one of the Commuter Routes. The Stadium Hospital Shuttle follows the following route: Scott Stadium -- UVA Health System -- Scott Stadium.

Central Grounds Shuttle (CGS)
The Central Grounds Shuttle connects commuters from the University-Hall parking lot to Central Grounds. CGS also provides service to the Copley Hill residences. The Central Grounds Shuttle operates Monday through Friday. The Central Grounds Shuttle follows the following route: Copeley -- U-Hall -- Emmet/Ivy Garage -- Facilities Management -- University of Virginia Chapel -- Copeley.

Special Route
The Special Route runs during certain holiday closings when the Health System clinics are still in operation. The Special Route is a hybrid between the Stadium/Hospital Shuttle and the Green Route, connecting the Health System to the commuter parking lots at Scott Stadium and University Hall.

Colonnade Shuttle
The Colonnade Shuttle connects the University Heights Apartments to Central Grounds. The Colonnade Shuttle operates Monday through Friday. The Colonnade Shuttle follows the following route: University Heights -- Facilities Management -- University of Virginia Chapel -- Emmet/Ivy Garage -- University Heights.

Types of Service
The type of service University Transit Service provides at a given time determines which routes are running, where they go, and how often they go there. If you are ever unsure as to what service is running at any point, the information is always available on the University Transit Service calendars displayed in bus shelters, on every bus behind the driver’s seat, and online. Drivers and passengers alike should feel free to check the UTS website or call the office for more information or clarification.

Full Service
Full Service runs when classes are in session and the University is running on a normal operating schedule. Full Service includes all UTS routes except for the Special Route.
 * Weekdays: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 10-minute schedule from 7:30am to 8:00pm, and a 15-minute schedule from 8:00pm to 12:30am.
 * Weekends: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 20-minute schedule from 12:00pm to 8:00pm and a 15-minute schedule from 8:00pm to 12:30am.
 * Commuter Routes: The Green Route, Stadium Hospital Shuttle, Central Grounds Shuttle and Colonnade Shuttle run as normal during weekdays.

Weekend Service
Weekend Service is a form of Full Service that runs on Saturdays and Sundays during the academic semesters.
 * Weekends: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 20-minute schedule from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and a 15-minute schedule from 8:00 pm to 12:30 am.

Extended Late Night Service
University Transit Service is now providing Extended Late Night Service. The Northline and Outer U-Loop run after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights during Full Service.
 * Friday and Saturday Nights: The Northline and Outer U-Loop run on a 20-minute schedule from 12:30 am to 2:30 am.

Holiday Service
This service operates during summer sessions, winter break, and most major holidays observed by the University of Virginia. Holiday Service accommodates University and Hospital employees as well as the few students still in town.
 * Weekdays: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 20-minute schedule from 7:30am to 8:00pm, and a 30-minute schedule from 8:00pm to 12:30am.
 * Commuter Routes: Green Route, Stadium Hospital Shuttle, and Central Grounds Shuttle run as normal during weekdays with the addition of a SHS bus running a 20-minute schedule from 9:04am to 2:36pm.
 * Weekends: No service

Exam Service
This service is a version of Holiday service that runs while exams are occurring during fall and spring semesters.
 * Weekdays: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 20-minute schedule from 7:30am to 8:00pm, and a 15-minute schedule from 8:00pm to 1:30am.
 * Weekends: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 20-minute schedule from 7:30am to 8:00pm and a 15-minute schedule from 8:00pm to 1:30am.
 * Commuter Routes: The Green Route, Stadium Hospital Shuttle, Central Grounds Shuttle and Colonnade Shuttle run as normal during weekdays.

Commuter Service
Commuter Service runs during times when classes are out of session, but when Academic and Health System offices and services are still in operation. Commuter service provides transit service between the commuter parking lots and areas in North Grounds, Central Grounds, and the Health System. When one or the other divisions are closed, UTS may use Academic Commuter Service or Health System Commuter Service.
 * Weekdays: The Northline and the University Loop run on a 30-minute schedule from 7:30am to 12:30am.
 * Commuter Routes: The Green Route, Stadium Hospital Shuttle, Central Grounds Shuttle and Colonnade Shuttle run as normal during weekdays with the addition of a SHS bus running a 20-minute schedule from 9:04am to 2:36pm.
 * Weekends: No service

Academic Commuter Service
This service is a limited form of Commuter Service that runs during holidays when the Health System clinics are closed, but the Academic side is still in operation. This service includes the Northline Connector and the University Loops (Inner and Outer).

Health System Commuter Service
This service is a limited form of Commuter Service that runs during holidays when the Health System clinics are still in operation. This service includes the Green Route and the Stadium/Hospital Shuttle that provides a link between the Health System and the commuter parking lots at Scott Stadium and University Hall. Health System Commuter Service also includes the Central Grounds Shuttle for Copeley residents, and as means to get to Central Grounds.

Charters
The University Transit Service offers Charter Services to accommodate the special transportation needs of various academic groups and affiliates of the University of Virginia. UTS Charters also participates heavily in major events at the University of Virginia such as Graduation, home football and basketball games, and the annual Foxfield Races.

Connecting Transit Services
University Transit Service (UTS) works closely with the Charlottesville Transit Service (CTS). The University provides an annual subsidy for the Charlottesville Free Trolley Route that connects the downtown mall with Central Grounds. Recently the University signed an agreement with the city to provide a subsidy to allow employees and students with UVA Identification, free transit on city buses. This open ridership program allows access to the newly restored Greyhound and Union Station on West Main Street, encouraging more people to travel by bus and rail. About 16 percent of the Charlottesville’s city bus riders display UVA identification cards.

Budget
The University Transit Service budget consists of several components: the Mandatory Comprehensive Transportation Fee of $144 (as of the 2008-2009 academic year), UVA Health System funding, University Heights Apartments transportation fee, and charter services.

The History of UTS
The University Transit Bus System began in conjunction with the implementation of parking fees at UVA. The bus system alleviated parking congestion on Grounds, providing an alternative to individual car usage.

The first fleet consisted of four 1965 rental buses. The University did not receive their personal fleet of buses until November of 1972. Charter services were available from UTS’ first days of operation. When UTS began operations in the Fall of 1972, service was provided Monday-Friday 7:30AM-12:30AM on a 12-minute schedule. After 5:40PM, service ran on a slightly altered route.

From day one, students provided most of the work force (15 students and 3 full timers). The first route originated in Copeley Hill Apartments, traveled to University Hall, south on Alderman Road, left on McCormick Road to the UVA Chapel, right on University Avenue through the Corner, right on Jefferson Park Avenue (JPA),  right on Harmon Street to Scott Stadium. The bus would then serve the same route in the reverse direction. A gate preventing access to the University Law School was removed in order to allow for bus traffic in 1972. Eventually, service was expanded to include the Rugby/Grady area of residence.

In 1972, bus passes were required and cost $7.50 per semester. Students had to purchase these passes separately from parking permits. On the first full day of service, 3,300 passengers rode the new University buses. UTS provided additional equipment to accommodate standing passengers. Weekend Service did not make an appearance until 1979 – there was a student referendum to raise the comprehensive transportation fee by $5 to cover the cost of Weekend Service. By March 1979, UTS had three routes and 16 buses. Talks began in 1979 concerning the combination of UTS and CTS.