The university’s parking and transportation services office has assumed responsibility for running an off-campus shuttle service previously provided by Jackson County Transit.

“Other than the look and color of the bus, not much will change for the students and other riders,” said Police Chief Earnest Hudson. “Our Cat-Tran buses basically will be following the same routes and stopping at the same off-campus housing complexes as in past years.”

Two routes will be maintained, with a round trip time of 30 minutes. The “north route,” which includes University Suites, Sleepy Hollow and the Maples, will leave from A.K. Hinds University Center at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with the final run at 3:30 p.m. The “south route,” which includes Campus Apartments, Laurel Oaks, Hampton/Rabbit Ridge, Summit and Catamount Peaks, will leave the University Center at every half hour from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., except for those times the shuttle will be heading for the north route.

WCU students, faculty and staff may ride free of charge by showing their WCU identification cards.

In addition, the university is adding a separate express route shuttle to transport students, faculty and staff to and from the Health and Human Sciences Building, which opens this fall across N.C. Highway 107 from the main campus.

For route schedules, visit police.wcu.edu and click on “Cat-Tran.”