Intercampus shuttle changes coincide with light rail


The METRO light rail system, which is on track to open in less than two months, will be an efficient new mode of transportation to facilitate a smoother commute for community members from the West and East valleys who need to reach downtown destinations or travel the length of the greater-Phoenix area.

When METRO becomes operational on Dec. 27, the ASU Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses will be connected via a direct, 20-minute light rail ride. As a result, ASU Parking and Transit Services administrators have confirmed that the shuttle between the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses will be discontinued at the end of the fall semester. Students, faculty and staff traveling to the Downtown Phoenix campus are encouraged to use light rail. The shuttles between Tempe and the West and Polytechnic campuses will continue to operate on their current schedules through the end of the spring 2009 semester.

In preparation for riding light rail at the start of the spring semester, students and employees should obtain an ASU U-Pass. The U-Pass grants unlimited access to Valley Metro bus routes and will also be valid for light rail boardings. Students may receive a U-Pass for free, while faculty and staff may receive this annual transit pass for the deeply discounted rate of approximately $10 per pay period. Students and employees can pick up a U-Pass by bringing their Sun Card to any ASU campus Permit Sales office. U-Passes are valid through June 30, 2009.

For additional information and Frequently Asked Questions about the changes to the intercampus shuttles, visit the PTS shuttles Web page at http://uabf.asu.edu/parking_commuter_shuttle or click here.

To learn more about the ASU U-Pass, and to view the Polytechnic and West campus shuttle schedules, please visit the PTS Commuter Options Web page at http://pts.asu.edu/commuteroptions.

Learn more about METRO light rail at http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail.