By Jonathan Gray
Once again, the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is introducing its Welcome Aboard program to University of Louisville students, faculty and staff. The program offers fare-free rides on the #94 Cardinal Shuttle or any fixed-route bus to anyone with a valid U of L picture ID
Currently, the No. 94 Cardinal Shuttle picks up passengers from Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium or Fourth Street and delivers them to the Student Activities Center on Floyd Street or to Fourth Street and Cardinal Boulevard, respectively. The shuttle runs Monday through Friday every eight minutes from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and then every 12 minutes until 8:30 p.m. while the regular TARC routes are available all week long, year round. Both locations require a green permit in order to park.
This program benefits the University by clearing up congestion on the campus and eliminating the need for new parking garages or lots. Mike Kuzmich of the Transit Authority sees this as a “win-win situation because students are using seats that are already out there.” He also added that buying a parking permit is like “buying a hunting license, since you have to search for parking spots closer to campus.”
Some students on campus, such as Freshman Travis Mills, “knew there was public transportation, but didn’t know it was free.” Mills added later, “It’s a good thing to know!”
For those of us who live on campus the TARC is also a convenient way to travel to many of the hot spots around Louisville. There are available bus routes to Bardstown Road, St. Matthews, Jefferson Mall and other points of interest. For a detailed listing of routes, stops and times, you can reach customer service at 585-1234. A new feature on 180 of the buses are bike racks, equipped for those passengers who would like to bike for a portion of their of their trip.
