UCR Highlander

Car-less? Don’t fret: some alternatives to getting around town

BY MOLLY FASHOLA
CONTRIBUTING WRITER


Tired of walking? Is Parking Lot 30 quickly becoming a parking spot warzone? Do you feel creepy as you slowly follow an innocent student to his or her car? Alternative forms of transportation to and from school are just what you’ve been hoping for. Countless students don’t know how many different types of transportation UCR actually offers, and the few who have seen the trolley/ shuttle systems around town don’t know the extent to which they operate. For example, many people might be surprised to know that UCR currently has three fully functional trolley/shuttle systems; TAPS’ Transit Services operates three routes, “Braveheart Loop, Trolley Express and Bear Runner” that run continuously during the day, transporting faculty, staff, and the student body to and from the main campus, University Extension, University Village, the Riverside Sports Center, and the Canyon Crest Towne Centre as well as various apartment complexes surrounding UCR. Another great aspect of the trolley/shuttle service is the flexible time schedule. In fact, two of the trolley/shuttle lines operate from 6:30 a.m. to 9:50 p.m., so they are clearly able to accommodate most academic schedules. In addition, to the Highlander Shuttle Service, UCR students can also enjoy the benefits of the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) Bus System. UCR and RTA have worked out a deal in which all undergraduate UCR students with their UCR ID can ride free to any of the RTA designated stops in the whole of Riverside County on the “Crest Cruiser.” These stops include Chicago/Central, the UV, and like the trolley, the Canyon Crest Towne Centre. In the last year RTA has extended the Crest Cruiser to serve larger sections of the UCR campus and neighboring areas. The RTA has added a second trolley to the new route, which was launched last year and also provides free transportation for UC Riverside students. The route now includes larger portions of Iowa Avenue, Canyon Crest Drive and Spruce Street. So instead of being discouraged with parking in Lot 30 or sweltering in the blazing Riverside heat, consider TAPS’ alternate forms of transportation. All of the services mentioned are free of charge to UCR students with ID. For the Route Schedules visit: Braveheart Loop/Trolley Express/Bear Runner: http://www.parking.ucr.edu, Crest Cruiser: http://www.riversidetransit.com/

Story Date: UCR Highlander, October 14, 2008