University updates nighttime student shuttle service; VandyRide will enhance efficiency and safety
Returning students will notice a new name around campus starting Sunday, Aug. 18: VandyRide.
The shuttle service, formerly known as Vandy Vans, was restructured over the summer months to provide better service for students.
As part of Vanderbilt’s strategic mobility and transportation plan, MoveVU, and administered by VUPS, the shuttle service transports university students around campus in the evening hours throughout the academic year, seven days a week.
“We heard loud and clear from the student body that they wanted a more efficient and streamlined service. We took that feedback to heart and were able to make meaningful changes to this important service,” said Erin Hafkenschiel, executive director of mobility. “Enhancing safety and efficiency were our main priorities, but we also wanted to make sure we were incorporating our university values, such as sustainability and accessibility, into the program.”
Updates to the service starting this year include earlier and longer service times from 5 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. and new routes (see map below). The changes come after a year-long study that included student focus groups and data collection. Routes with low ridership were consolidated, and other routes were changed to reflect the ridership trends of the student body.
Future plans for the service include adding shelters to several service stops.
Last year the university launched its first fully recyclable, green and technology-driven shelter on campus. The shelter syncs with the DoubleMap app so students can watch the shuttles in real time through the app or on the shelter’s technology display.
To access VandyRide, students can download VandySafe through the Apple or Google Play stores. Once users are inside the app, they can select “route” in the drop-down menu in the upper left-hand corner and select all routes to see the routes on the map.
For complete information about the VandyRide service, including routes, stops, and times, please visit their website at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/traffic_parking/alternative-transportation.php
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