The Cityshuttle service between UCSD and the local University Towne Center mall was discontinued Feb. 10 and replaced by Metropolitan Transit System city buses in an effort to encourage carpooling and stem the environmental impact of traffic.
Students exit a bus at the University Towne Center mall. The new Metropolitan Transit System bus routes serve as replacement for former UCSD Cityshuttle services.
“”Basically, we are trying to find ways to encourage people not to use a single-occupant car,”” UCSD Transportation and Parking Services Director Brian D’Autremont said. “”It’s better for the environment and traffic.””
In addition, transportation resources have recently been redirected to subsidize North County Transit District BREEZE Route 101, which was added to UCSD’s Free Bus Zone on Feb. 1.
Increased city bus service in the free bus zone makes mass transit a more flexible and popular alternative to parking on campus. UCSD has a commitment to reduce traffic and parking congestion and help commuters battle rising fuel and vehicle-operation costs, D’Autremont said.
“”I think we should get about 150 more people out of a single-use car,”” D’Autremont said. “”Of all the people I know, students can use a free, environmental service such as this the most.””
BREEZE Route 101 provides coastal access to campus along Route 101 from Oceanside. This new alliance with NCTD gives students, faculty and staff living along North County’s 101 free and convenient transit access to campus.
“”We’re trying to increase ridership,”” NCTD spokeswoman Sarah Benson said of the changes. The partnership with UCSD helps to “”get more people on the bus. … The route is so convenient for those who work and go to school there. It’s a win-win situation.””
The BREEZE service operates every 30 minutes on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10:28 p.m., and every hour on weekends. The partnership expands the free bus zone by 31 miles, spanning south from Oceanside to the Euclid Trolley Station.
“”I prefer taking the city buses from UTC,”” Thurgood Marshall College junior Robert Cordoni said. “”There are more options for routes, and I never have to wait more than 15 minutes for the bus to come.””
Some students have expressed lukewarm feelings about the recent changes.
“”It’s so much more convenient for me to take the Cityshuttle bus because it was a direct route from UTC to campus,”” Earl Warren College junior Diana Sit said. “”I never liked taking the MTS buses, and I don’t think taking away the UTC Express will help the situation.””
Readers can contact Kimberly Cheng at [email protected].
