Buses added to routes to encourage social distancing

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The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has contracted with Arrow Stage Lines to add passenger capacity, as StarTran buses have limited their capacity to encourage social distancing.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln community members who utilize campus bus services will notice a few changes when in-person class instruction begins Aug. 24.

In order to accommodate riders and to comply with social distancing measures, University Parking and Transit Services has contracted with Arrow Stage Lines to add buses to the City Campus/East Campus routes. The Arrow buses will follow the Star Tran vehicles on routes 24 and 25, and after the first bus to filled to capacity, additional riders will immediately board the available trailing bus. Both the StarTran and Arrow buses will have decreased capacity, with StarTran limiting the number to 15 riders per bus, and Arrow allowing 27.

“Arrow will only be allowing the use of window seats to keep the six feet of distance,” Dan Carpenter, director of Parking and Transit Services, said. “They’ve also installed barriers between the seats to up protection, and they’re requiring masks.”

The bus route between City Campus to Nebraska Innovation Campus, route 22, will be unchanged, but route 23, between East Campus and NIC, will now be provided through a van service from Parking and Transit Services.

Arrow interior — Arrow buses will be equipped with barriers, and passengers will use the window seats only.

University community members utilizing bus and van services will be asked to adhere to campus COVID-19 safety procedures and the bus services have also made some changes. These safety measures are as follows:

All faculty, staff, students, and visitors will wear facial coverings when riding buses and vans on the UNL campus, with a few exceptions.
Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available on the vehicles.
Vehicle surfaces will be regularly cleaned.
To minimize prolonged contact at this time, no app, pass or fee is required to ride the bus or van.

University students also can use the after-hours on-call van transportation service at no cost. The service provides rides between designated campus bus stops after the end of daily bus route schedules. Access and user information, is available here.

Routes, schedules and other rider information can be found on the Campus Bus Service website.