After a long day and hours spent studying, many students find themselves looking at the clock and realizing it’s already 9 p.m. For those living on campus or navigating campus after dark, walking alone can be stressful. Campus Connection shuttle can provide safe and convenient transportation.
Provided by the University Police Department, this free shuttle service is available to all university students, staff and faculty. Operating from 6 p.m. to midnight during the school year, the shuttle ensures students get across campus safely.
To use the service, students can call 530-815-4192 and provide their current location and desired destination. Calls are only answered during operating hours and students will be given an estimated arrival time for the shuttle.
The shuttle follows a fixed route with eight designated stops: University Village, Mechoopda Hall, Game Fields 6 and 7, Tehama Hall, Meriam Library, Wildcat Recreation Center, The Social and Holt Hall.
Lieutenant Bryce Davison with UPD explained that the shuttle improves safety by reducing risks like walking alone at night and perceived safety, helping students feel more secure while traveling across campus.
Daisy Tidwell, a fourth year student, shared how she wouldn’t stay on campus at night if Campus Connection didn’t exist, as she doesn’t feel safe walking home to University Village and has experienced delays with other transportation options.
“I work nights, so I rely on Campus Connection to get home. It’s honestly the only way I’ve been able to work late,” Tidwell said. “I don’t have a bike anymore, and even when I did, I didn’t feel comfortable riding home at night.”
Campus Connection is strictly for transporting students and staff safely around campus and should not be treated like an Uber. The shuttle will not stop at locations outside its route, including downtown, private residences or the train station. It is not meant for emergencies. If you are in danger or need medical attention, call 911 or use one of the blue emergency buttons located throughout campus.
Riders are not required to show ID when boarding. Instead, a clipboard is passed around for passengers to write their first and last name along with their student or staff ID number.
After placing a call, riders are told when the shuttle is expected to arrive. However, high demand can sometimes cause long wait times.
Eileen Escobedo, a second year student, shared that after making several calls without getting an answer, she had to walk from the WREC to UV and called her mom on FaceTime for peace of mind. While walking along a bike path, she noticed a man following her for a period of time. After pointing her phone at him, he eventually turned and walked away.
“Another time I called, they said the wait time was going to be 30 to 40 minutes, and I ended up having to take an Uber because of my previous experience,” Escobedo said.
Davison added that when demand for the service is high, to keep people safe, Community Service Officers assist by using golf carts to provide additional rides to and from campus areas, assisting the shuttle.
“When deciding to start the golf cart. We talked about buying a second van, but that comes with a lot of expenses. Then we looked at getting a 12-plus passenger van, but then we ran into other issues. These (drivers) are students that are working for us, and we do provide training, but it is harder for them to drive a larger passenger van or a bus,” Davison said.
Despite occasional delays, Campus Connection remains a key safety resource for many students navigating campus at night. Students are encouraged to call ahead and plan accordingly, allowing enough time for the shuttle to arrive and ensure a safer trip across campus.
Arlette Valdivia can be reached at [email protected]
