TROY – The Troy University Transit System rolled out its first two Trojan Shuttles Monday, officially christening the Troy-area’s first public transit system.

The $3.5 million program, made available through a grant from the Federal Transportation Administration, is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and increasing on-campus safety, said Dean of Student Affairs Herbert Reeves.

“Hopefully having the shuttle system will decrease the amount of traffic on campus and have a positive impact on the parking issues we have as well,” he said.

The Troy campus currently issues about 5,250 parking permits annually, and about 3,000 visitor passes each year. There are about 2,961 available parking spaces on the Troy Campus.

The system will run regular routes on and near campus and to destinations within the city, and will make stops at apartment complexes in order to better assist students.

The project also calls for the construction and paving of four park-and-ride lots, a maintenance facility, a support vehicle, rehabilitation of some campus roadways, passenger shelters and landscaping.

Among the University’s new “rolling stock” will be four 15-passenger shuttle buses, three 25-passenger shuttles and five 33-passenger buses.

The four park-and-ride lots designated under the project are:

· Luther Drive, adjacent to the Trojan Oaks Pro Shop;

· Heat Plant, an expansion and paving of the existing gravel parking area near the track;

· Collegedale, an expansion and paving of the existing gravel parking area behind Clements Hall; and

· Trojan Center, a resurfacing of the parking area between Trojan Center and the Natatorium.

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