University Transit Service
Founded1972
Headquarters1101 Millmont Street, Charlottesville, Virginia
LocaleCharlottesville, Virginia
Service areaUniversity of Virginia and Surrounding Areas
Service typeBus service
Routes6
Fleet39
Fuel typeBiodiesel
WebsiteUTS

University Transit Service (UTS) is a fare-free transit system providing service to the University of Virginia's students, faculty, and staff. UTS serves more than 3 million passengers per year and traverses the University of Virginia Central Grounds, University of Virginia Health System, and student housing areas. UTS also provides chartered services for university-sponsored events.

History of UTS

The University Transit Bus System began in 1972 at the same time as the introduction of parking fees at UVA, when fifteen student drivers started a pilot program. The bus system alleviated parking congestion on the Central Grounds and provided an alternative to individual car usage.

The first fleet consisted of four rented buses, but these were replaced by UTS' own fleet in November 1972.[1] From the start, students provided most of the work force (15 students and 3 full-time drivers). At first, service was provided Monday-Friday 7:30am–12:30am, with the first route running from Copeley Hill Apartments to Scott Stadium. A gate preventing access to the University Law School was removed in order to allow for bus traffic. Eventually, service was expanded to include the Rugby/Grady neighborhood, a popular student housing area. Charter services were available from UTS’ first days of operation.

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.

In 1979, the service was extended to include a weekend service after a student referendum to raise the comprehensive transportation fee by $5. By March 1979, UTS had three routes and 16 buses. Talks began in 1979 concerning the combination of UTS and CTS.

On August 24, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UTS modified several routes and modified the UVA Health Commuter routes.[2]

Services

GPS Tracking

University Transit Service contracts with TransLoc to provide a mobile app that shows the estimated arrival time and approximate location of each bus according to the GPS tracking system.

Types of service

University Transit Service operates at different service levels dependent on the needs of the students and staff who use the service, as well as the availability of various campus access points.[3]

  • Full Service
    • Runs during the fall and spring academic semesters unless otherwise posted. All routes operate during this service level.
  • Reduced Service
    • Runs on weekdays only during summer sessions, fall reading days, winter break, and spring break. Reduced frequency on academic routes.
  • Exam Service
    • Runs during the fall and spring exam periods.
  • Commuter Service
    • Provides Health System Route service during holidays when clinics are still in operation, such as the workdays before Thanksgiving and after Christmas Day. Only service for UVA Health Commuter Routes.
  • Football Operations
    • During home football games, most or all route service is suspended and may not resume until post-game. Throughout the game, UTS operates an accessibility shuttle that runs from the D3 parking lot to Scott Stadium.

Charters

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. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, UTS has stopped accepting new charter requests.[4]

Connecting transit services

University Transit Service (UTS) works closely with Charlottesville Area Transit and JAUNT. The university provides an annual subsidy for the Charlottesville Free Trolley Route that connects the downtown mall with Central Grounds.[5] The university has an agreement with the city to provide a subsidy that allows staff, faculty, and students to ride city buses fare-free with a valid UVA ID. This open ridership program allows access to the Greyhound bus station and Amtrak's Union Station on West Main Street, encouraging more people to travel by bus and rail. In the 2017 fiscal year, UVA staff, faculty, and students formed just under 24 percent of CAT's ridership.[6]

Routes

UTS routes are designed to provide service to those that are transit-dependent, rather than those that ride out of convenience. Due to COVID-19, UTS significantly modified their routes, including a new naming system.

Route[7] Terminals Streets traveled Major areas served Service Notes Diagram
UVA Health Commuter Routes
Redline (RED) Student Activities Building Lee Street @ Medical Center
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Jefferson Park Ave.
  • Lane Rd.
  • Crispell Dr.
  • Lee St.
  • Bryant Hall & Student Activities Building (Red Lots)
  • UVA Medical Center
Continuous Service

M-F, 6am-7am & 2:30pm-8pm

Blueline (BLUE) Emmett/Ivy Garage
  • Rothery Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • Jefferson Park Ave.
  • Lane Rd.
  • Crispell Dr.
  • Lee St.
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • UVA Medical Center
Continuous Service

M-F, 7am-8pm

Academic Routes - Weekdays before 6pm
Gold Line (GOLD) Hereford Barracks Road Shopping Center
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Arlington Blvd.
  • Ivy Rd.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard, Hereford, Runk Dining Hall
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Central Grounds (Emmett St.)
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • Lambeth housing
  • John Paul Jones Arena
  • North Grounds
  • Barracks Road Shopping Center
20 Minute Service

M-F, 7:30am–8:30am 15 Minute Service M-F, 8:30am-6pm

Route and frequency change at 6pm - see "Academic Routes - Weekdays after 6pm & Weekends"
Green Line (GRN) Hereford Madison Ave @ Preston Ave
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • University Ave.
  • Rugby Rd.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard, Hereford, Runk Dining Hall
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Central Grounds (Emmett St.)
  • Rugby Rd., Madison Ave., Grady Ave. off-grounds housing
20 Minute Service M-F, 7:30am-6pm Route and frequency change at 6pm - see "Academic Routes - Weekdays after 6pm & Weekends"
Orange Line (OR) Whitehead Rd. Madison Ave @ Preston Ave
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Maury Ave.
  • Jefferson Park Ave.
  • University Ave.
  • 14th St.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Stadium Rd. Garage (Red Lots)
  • Jefferson Park Ave. off-grounds housing
  • UVA Medical Center
  • The Corner
  • 14th St., Madison Ave. off-grounds housing
20 Minute Service

M-F, 7:30am–8:30am 15 Minute Service M-F, 8:30am-6pm

Route and frequency change at 6pm - see "Academic Routes - Weekdays after 6pm & Weekends"
Silver Line (SLV) Whitehead Rd. John Paul Jones Arena
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Copeley Rd.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • Rothery Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Facilities Management
  • John Paul Jones Arena
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • Central Grounds (Emmett St.)
15 Minute Frequency

M-F, 7:30am-6pm

Academic Routes - Weekdays after 6pm & Weekends
Gold Line (GOLD) Hereford Barracks Road Shopping Center
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • University Ave.
  • Emmett St.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Arlington Blvd.
  • Ivy Rd.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard, Hereford, Runk Dining Hall
  • McCormick Road Dorms
  • Central Grounds
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • Lambeth housing
  • John Paul Jones Arena
  • North Grounds
  • Barracks Road Shopping Center
20 Minute Service

M-F, 6pm-10pm 20 Minute Service

Weekends, Noon-10pm

Green Line (GRN) Hereford Madison Ave @ Preston Ave
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • University Ave.
  • Rugby Rd.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard, Hereford, Runk Dining Hall
  • McCormick Rd. Dorms
  • Central Grounds
  • Rugby Rd., Madison Ave., Grady Ave. off-grounds housing
40 Minute Service

M-F, 6pm-10pm 30 Minute Service

Weekends, Noon-10pm

Orange Loop (OR) Alderman Library (McCormick Rd.) Pinn Hall
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Maury Ave.
  • Jefferson Park Ave.
  • University Ave.
  • 14th St.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Rugby Rd.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • McCormick Rd. Dorms
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard
  • Jefferson Park Ave. off-grounds housing
  • UVA Medical Center
  • The Corner
  • 14th St., Madison Ave., Grady Ave., Rugby Rd. off-grounds housing
  • Central Grounds
20 Minute Service

M-F, 6pm-10pm 30 Minute Service Weekends, Noon-10pm

After 10pm
Night Pilot (NP) Alderman Library (McCormick Rd.) Loop
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • Maury Ave.
  • Jefferson Park Ave.
  • Emmett St.
  • University Ave.
  • Central Grounds
  • McCormick Rd. Dorms
  • Alderman Rd. Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall
  • Gooch/Dillard
  • Jefferson Park Ave. off-grounds housing
20 Minute Service

M-Su, 10pm-2am

Pilot program, to be assessed March 2022

Former Routes

These routes were served by UTS prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Route Terminals Streets traveled Major areas served Service Notes Diagram
BlueLine (BLUE) U-Hall & Massie Lee Street @ UVA Medical Center
  • Emmett St.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Copeley Rd.
  • Ivy Rd.
  • Rothery Rd.
  • Jefferson Park Ave.
  • Lane Rd.
  • Crispell Dr.
  • Lee St.
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • John Paul Jones Arena/University Hall
  • Central Grounds (Emmett St.)
  • UVA Medical Center
M-F, 6am-8pm (8-15 min.)
  • Replaced by the current Blueline
Central Grounds Shuttle (CGS) UVA Chapel Copeley Hill Housing
  • Alderman Rd.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • University Ave.
  • Ivy Rd.
  • Copeley Rd.
  • Seymour Rd.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • Rothery Rd.
  • Facilities Management
  • McCormick Road Dorms/Engineer's Way
  • Central Grounds
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • John Paul Jones Arena/University Hall
  • Copeley Hill housing
  • Lambeth housing
M-F, 6am-8pm (15-30 min.)
  • Replaced by the current Silver Line
Inner University Loop (IL) Bryant Hall Washington Park
  • Jefferson Park Ave./Fontaine Ave.
  • Mimosa Dr.
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Rugby Rd.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • University Ave.
  • 14th St.
  • Jefferson Park Ave. off-grounds housing
  • Gooch/Dillard
  • Scott Stadium/Red lots
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • McCormick Road Dorms/Engineer's Way
  • Central Grounds
  • Rugby Rd., Madison Ave., Grady Ave., 14th St. off-grounds housing
  • The Corner
  • UVA Medical Center
M-F, 7:30am–12:30am (10-20 min.)

Weekends, Noon-12:30am (20 min.)

Northline Express (NLX) Hereford UVA Chapel
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Emmett St.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard, Hereford, Runk Dining Hall
  • McCormick Road Dorms/Engineer's Way
  • Central Grounds
  • International Residential College
M-F, 8:45am–11:15am (20 min.)
Northline (NL) Hereford Barracks Road Shopping Center
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Hereford Dr.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • University Ave.
  • Emmett St.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Arlington Blvd.
  • Rothery Rd.
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • Gooch/Dillard, Hereford, Runk Dining Hall
  • McCormick Road Dorms
  • Central Grounds
  • Emmett-Ivy Garage
  • Lambeth housing
  • John Paul Jones Arena
  • North Grounds
  • Barracks Road Shopping Center
M-F, 7:30am–12:30am (10-20 min.)

Weekends, Noon-12:30am (20 min.)

Replaced by the current Gold Line
Early Inner Loop (EIL) Bryant Hall Washington Park
  • Jefferson Park Ave./Fontaine Ave.
  • Mimosa Dr.
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Rugby Rd.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • University Ave.
  • 14th St.
  • Jefferson Park Ave. off-grounds housing
  • Gooch/Dillard
  • Scott Stadium/Red lots
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • McCormick Road Dorms/Engineer's Way
  • Central Grounds
  • Rugby Rd., Madison Ave., Grady Ave., 14th St. off-grounds housing
  • The Corner
  • UVA Medical Center
Begins 6:20am Begins at Rugby Rd. @ Lambeth Ln. stop & terminated at UVA Chapel stop
Outer Loop (OL) Washington Park Bryant Hall
  • Jefferson Park Ave./Fontaine Ave.
  • Mimosa Dr.
  • Stadium Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Whitehead Rd.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Rugby Rd.
  • Grady Ave.
  • Madison Ave.
  • Preston Ave.
  • University Ave.
  • 14th St.
  • Jefferson Park Ave. off-grounds housing
  • Gooch/Dillard
  • Scott Stadium/Red lots
  • Alderman Road Dorms, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, and AFC
  • McCormick Road Dorms/Engineer's Way
  • Central Grounds
  • Rugby Rd., Madison Ave., Grady Ave., 14th St. off-grounds housing
  • The Corner
  • UVA Medical Center
M-F, 7:30am–12:30am (10-20 min.)

Late night Th-Sat, 12:30am–2:30am (20 min.)

Weekends, Noon-12:30am (20 min.)

  • Replaced by the current Orange Line
  • Operates in opposite direction of Inner Loop
Purple Route (PRP) Alderman Library (McCormick Rd.) Colonnade Drive
  • Copeley Rd.
  • Massie Rd.
  • Arlington Blvd.
  • Emmett St.
  • University Ave.
  • McCormick Rd.
  • Alderman Rd.
  • Ivy Rd.
  • Colonnade Dr.
  • North Grounds
  • Barracks Rd. Shopping Center
  • Lambeth housing
  • Central Grounds
  • McCormick Road Dorms/Engineer's Way
  • Facilities Management
  • University Heights off-grounds housing
M-F, 7am-10:40pm (30 min.)

COVID-19 Response

UTS made a number of notable changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the following:[9]

  • Bus capacity is reduced to 20 passengers, with seating reorganized to maximize social distancing
  • Passengers are required to wear face coverings
  • A chain has been added to prevent passengers from getting too close to the driver
  • Academic routes have been reconfigured to avoid McCormick Road and other areas of short "convenience trips."
  • Staff have been added to certain bus stops and onboard certain routes to enforce both the face covering requirement and the 20-passenger limit

UTS rolled back the capacity requirements and rear-door boarding in November 2021.[10]

Fleet Information

The current fleet consists of the following vehicles:[11]

Unit Year/Make Height Length Width Weight (Tons) Wheel Chair Lift/Ramp
9032

9132

2007 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
9332
9432
2009 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
12132

12232
12332
12432
12532
12632

2012 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
14132

14232
14332
14432
14532

2014 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
17132

17232
17332
17432
17532
17632
17732

2017 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
18132

18232
18332
18432
18532
18632
18732
18832

2018 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
19132

19232
19332
19432
19532

2019 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front
20131

20231 20331
20431

2020 Gillig Low Floor 9'8" 35' 8'5" 13 Front

On May 17, 2022, UTS announced the purchase[12] of four new battery electric Proterra ZX5+ buses, with expected delivery in the summer or fall of 2023. The purchase of these buses will advance the university towards its sustainability goals,[13] notably of being fossil fuel free by 2050.

Administration

In addition to student drivers, University Transit Service employs full-time and part-time non-student drivers. All drivers are required to undergo a rigorous training process that satisfies the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' requirement for a Commercial Driver's License and teaches them the different routes at UVA. Three official training classes are offered throughout the year during January, May, and August, although new drivers can be trained one-on-one or in small groups throughout the semester, based on their schedule. All of the new driver training is performed by current UTS drivers who have been trained by existing trainers. Training is overseen by the Safety and Training Manager.

Supervisory Staff

Each year, new supervisors are chosen from current drivers who apply. These supervisors manage all drivers that are currently on the road while they are on duty, whether they are student drivers, wage drivers, or full-time drivers.[14] In addition, 0-2 students serve as Student Operations Interns, learning processes and gaining experience of transit management throughout the year in which they serve in that role.

Supervisor Training

Unlike becoming a new driver, there are no training classes for becoming a supervisor. New supervisors are instead taught on the job for a few weeks by current supervisors. The previous supervisor acts only in a mentoring capacity and generally does not directly supervise drivers during this time.

Budget

The University Transit Service budget consists of several components: the Mandatory Comprehensive Transportation Fee of $193 (as of the 2020–2021 academic year),[15] and UVA Health System funding.

References

  1. Averette, Brittany. "Student Driven." The University of Virginia Magazine Spring 2006. Web. 4 Jan. 2012.
  2. "University Transit Service - Fall 2020 | Parking and Transportation". parking.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  3. "University Transit Service | Parking and Transportation". parking.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  4. "Charter Bus Services | Parking and Transportation". parking.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  5. The Economic Impact of the University of Virginia p.16]
  6. University affiliate use of free Charlottesville Area Transit drops during 2018 fiscal year
  7. "University Transit Service | Parking and Transportation". parking.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  8. "University Transit Service | Parking and Transportation". 2018-10-17. Archived from the original on 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  9. "UVA Reconfigures Transportation Options in Face of COVID-19". UVA Today. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  10. "UTS Service Updates -- November 29, 2021 | Parking and Transportation". parking.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  11. University Transit Service Fleet Manual. Mid-Fall 2020. Page 3-4
  12. "University Transit Services Beginning to Go Electric With New Buses". UVA Today. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  13. "University of Virginia Sustainability 2020-2030 Plan" (PDF).
  14. University Transit Service training manual, page 53
  15. University of Virginia Components of Mandatory Fees
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