Upgraded Fleet

UAlbany Transit Gives Shuttle Buses a Modern Look

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 12, 2017) – Three shuttle buses are making their loops around UAlbany’s Uptown, Downtown and Health Sciences campuses with a modern look and plenty of Great Danes’ pride.

The buses, which are on the road now, have been newly wrapped for the first time in 31 years.

Color is the most notable change. Instead of primarily white, the upgraded fleet are purple and gold. UAlbany’s Minerva logo is also featured on each side.

11 additional buses will receive the new design in upcoming months.

“The new look of these buses represents a great opportunity for UAlbany’s visibility in the community,” said Interim President James R. Stellar. “I want to thank our Office of Communications and Marketing and Parking Management for collaborating on the improved wrap.”

View photos of Interim President Stellar riding the new buses here.

UAlbany's shuttle buses are getting newly wrapped for the first time in 31 years. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

By the Numbers:

Annually, UAlbany’s shuttle buses transport more than 500,000 campus community passengers each year.

Service routes include the University’s Uptown, Downtown and Health Sciences Campuses, Patroon Creek Complex and Freedom Apartments. The buses also service Western Avenue, Madison Avenue, and New Scotland Avenue due to UAlbany’s affiliation with Albany Law School. Additionally, there’s a shopping shuttle on select nights to Walmart, Price Chopper and Colonie Center.

In total, the buses are seen by roughly 250,000 people in Capital District per month.

Bus Upgrades:

All of UAlbany’s shuttle buses are outfitted with a GPS tracker. This gives passengers the opportunity to anticipate if their ride is running ahead or behind schedule. Real-time route info is available online.

Other recent internal changes include the installation of destination sign boards, along with pull cords so passengers can alert drivers when they need to stop. Automated passenger counting and ID swipe are estimated to launch around spring 2019.

In 2011-12 NYSERDA provided grants to assist the University in upgrading its fleet to include five electric-hybrid buses.

UAlbany’s Parking & Mass Transit Services (PMTS) and Office of Communication and Marketing have partnered with the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) on the bus wrap project. CDTA is providing the facilities needed to make the design changes.

“Over the last few years PMTS has worked determinedly to modernize the UAlbany shuttle bus fleet and this is just another example of our continued efforts,” said Jason Jones, PMTS director. “CDTA has also been a great partner on the current bus wrap project providing the space we need in order to accomplish this effort.”

More information on UAlbany’s shuttle buses, along with other method of alternative transportation on campus, is available here.

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