University Transit Service

Founded	1972
Headquarters	1101 Millmont Street, Charlottesville, Virginia
Locale	Charlottesville, Virginia
Service area	University of Virginia and Surrounding Areas
Service type	Bus service
Routes	6
Fleet	39
Fuel type	Biodiesel
Website	UTS

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

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.

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]

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.

References