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UH shuttle service undergoes several changes
The University of Houston has a new shuttle
service provider and revamped shuttle routes.
Groome Transportation, a Richmond, Va.-based company, is the new
operator of the Cougar Line. Three shuttle routes now service
students on the UH campus: the Outer Loop, Eastwood/ERP and
Campus Loop routes.
Groome was chosen to be the next provider because of its history
of excellent service, a track record of reliability and safe
drivers. At the same time, a subcommittee comprising students,
faculty and staff reviewed data regarding the current shuttle
routes.
�They made the calculated decision that the three routes that
would continue to run would best serve the UH community and the
mission of Parking and Transportation Services,� said Christian
Backstrom, a member of the UH Transportation and Parking
Advisory Committee.
Campus Loop
The Campus Loop remains much the same as it had been as it
carries passengers in a continuous loop around the perimeter of
the campus. One major change riders will notice is that once the
Loop Road Project is completed, the buses on this route will
have an additional stop in front of the Cougar Woods Dining
Hall.
Click here to view a map of the route.
Eastwood/ERP Line
This route remains the same as it shuttles riders to and from
the Energy Research Park to the University Center, with a stop
at the Metro Eastwood Transit Center.
Click here to view a map of the route.
Outer Loop
The Outer Loop route combines the current blue and purple
shuttle.
Click here to view a map of the route and
stop locations.
Robert Browand, director of Parking and Transportation Services
said the route changes in the UH shuttle system will help lower
the growing cost of operating the shuttle service, which is
funded entirely from parking permit sales. In 2012, it cost $2.4
million to maintain and operate the service. With the revamped
routes, that cost will be reduced to an average of $1.4 million
annually.
�Operating costs for the shuttle have increased dramatically,
doubling since 2004,� Browand said. �The burden of the increased
cost has been placed on faculty, staff and students in the form
of higher parking rates.�
In addition, the higher cost for the shuttle service was
diverting funding away from much-needed parking lot maintenance
and other parking projects. The money that will be saved will
now be used for these projects.
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