The University could add up to five buses to its “shuttle run” between campus and Cajun Field before fall classes start on Aug. 25 with City-Parish Council approval of an agreement between the University and Lafayette Consolidated Government.
The agreement, which is scheduled to be considered for final adoption by the Council on Aug. 19, would enhance both University and LCG transit services, according to school and LCG officials.
The buses, leased from LCG and operated by drivers from the UL Lafayette Office of Transportation Services, would be added to the fleet of 11 buses and three shuttles owned by the University.
Buses that transport students between campus and Cajun Field during fall semesters run continuously from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Bus stops are located at Cajun Field, Bourgeois Hall, and in front of the Conference Center on Rex Street.
Students, faculty and staff also would be able to use LCG transit services anywhere in Lafayette for free by presenting their UL Lafayette student ID cards.
"This will minimize the wait time at Cajun Field for our students and by taking buses from Cajun Field to campus, or using a bus to travel to other parts of the city, students can help ease traffic congestion in Lafayette," said UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie.
As part of the agreement, the University will purchase compressed natural gas from LCG to power the buses, which is a more efficient and cleaner fuel than diesel.
“We have underutilized infrastructure with our bus fleet, and UL has a need for more comprehensive transit services for their students. We are all extremely excited about the potential of this partnership for both the University and for our transit system,” stated City-Parish President Joey Durel.
An increase in riders on the buses is also expected to assist LCG’s ridership numbers, an important component of funding from the Federal Transportation Administration. “Enhanced transit service is in several of the action items in PlanLafayette, and building the ridership in the system is one of the key reasons,” said Kevin Blanchard, LCG chief development officer.
The agreement will be introduced at the Aug. 5 meeting of the Lafayette City-Parish Council.