r/UGA Aug 12 '24

Important bus information

150 Upvotes

I know some people have discussed this here before, but as a bus driver who started as a student, I thought I should share some important information about our transit system. While this is primarily for new students, there are a lot of students who go through here and never learn any of this.

*If you are uncertain about anything, ask the driver; however, they may not be able to respond if the bus is in motion, so it is best to ask when the bus is stopped at a bus stop or red light.

*UGA.passiogo.com (formerly routes.uga.edu; now a redirect) is more accurate for tracking the buses than the UGA app.

*The cameras and microphones are on at all times. Anything you say or do will be recorded.

*Scooters, motorized skateboards, one wheels, and anything motorized, with the exception of wheelchairs and other mobility devices required for medical purposes, are not allowed on the buses.

*Buses can only load and unload passengers at designated bus stops. This is for safety reasons. If you ask the driver to unload elsewhere, you will be denied.

*If a bus's destination sign is flashing "Out of Service" in between a route name, that means the bus is going out of service in the next 30 minutes and you can still ride to the last stop. It is not actually out of service until the sign reads "Not in Service".

*If a driver sits at a stop for a few minutes without moving, this is usually because they are ahead on their route, and need to let the other drivers get spaced out better. This often happens after class breaks and other episodes of heavy traffic that messes up spacing.

*During class breaks and other peak times, buses become VERY crowded. If you are standing on a crowded bus, you should take your backpack off and move towards the back. The bus cannot move until all passengers are behind the standee line.

*If you need on a bus that is about to/starting to pull away from a stop, wave at the driver (or their mirrors if you are behind the bus), and they will usually stop and let you on. If they don't, it is probably because they are having to watch the road in order to safely pull out into traffic. This happens very commonly at the Arch and Main Library.

*Buses will occasionally go off route in order to maintain spacing. The driver will usually notify the passengers in advance, however, and ask if anyone needs any of the bypassed stops before proceeding.

*While drivers do have to take breaks, they are not supposed to do so during class breaks unless it is urgent.

*Stop requests are unnecessary, except for on Night Campus, Prince Milledge, Weekender, and a few stops on Health Sciences, Vet Med, Riverbend Connector (formerly Greenhouse Shuttle), and Milledge Avenue. If a stop is on demand, the annunciator will announce "please signal to exit" or "please pull the cord to exit" in advance.

*While buses are required to stop for pedestrians, they are also extremely heavy, and can't stop on a dime. If you are approaching a crosswalk and see a bus approaching, don't cross. You might as well be walking in front of a train.

*Which brings me to my next point: ALWAYS stop and look both ways before crossing a street. The electric buses are very quiet, and especially hard to hear if you're on your phone or have earbuds in. If you cross a street without looking (especially if it isn't a designated crosswalk) and get hit, the bus driver will likely not be at fault if they are driving safely and obeying all traffic laws.

*If you are riding a scooter, bike, one wheel, etc., do not cut right in front of a bus, especially if the bus is in motion.

*If a bus is closed and pulling away from a stop that you need, do not make physical contact with the bus to alert the driver if it is already in motion. You could be seriously injured or worse.

*Cars, bikes, scooters, and any other vehicles are NOT allowed to pass buses when they are stopped in road on a two-lane. While people do it all the time, it is extremely dangerous.

*If you have to exit the bus and cross the street at a location without a crosswalk, do NOT cross in front of the bus. If a car decides to (illegally) pass the bus, you could get hit.

*Food and drinks are not allowed on the night routes after midnight. This is because the smell causes passengers who are drunk to become nauseated and throw up. If someone throws up on a bus and any of the contents get outside of a garbage can or bag, the driver has to remove all passengers and take the bus out of service.

*If a bus's destination sign says "Help! Call 911!", this is a distress signal that is used during the event of an emergency where the driver is unable to radio for help. We have never had a situation requiring this feature to be used, and if you see it, it was most likely activated by accident. However, you don't know that, so you should call 911 just in case it is a real emergency.

UPDATE: The "Out of service" message has been replaced with "This bus ends. Ask for last stop" and "Last bus". The former means that particular bus is going out of service and other buses will remain on the route. The latter means the entire route is going out of service for the day.


r/UGA 10h ago

Question Thoughts on schedule?

5 Upvotes

This is my first semester as I just transferred in, so im a little nervous lol. Chem is w/ Llewellyn, and bio is with Keller.


r/UGA 21h ago

Discussion Lighting in dorms!

9 Upvotes

I know fairy lights and LED lights and all that other stuff aren’t allowed, but I still want my dorm to look cute and warmly lit! other than floor lamps, how is everyone else lighting their dorms to avoid using the gross hospital lighting?


r/UGA 17h ago

Question Online MBA success?

2 Upvotes

Has anyone had success with the online MBA? The numbers produced from the Full-Time program, with an average salary of $121k, are great, but if the online MBA doesn’t produce the same results, a price tag of $55,000 is much less compelling.

Bonus question, does anyone have an application fee waiver? I see if you attend a virtual event you’ll get an application waiver, but the next event is at noon during the work week… not ideal!


r/UGA 22h ago

Question Any mental health support group ?

3 Upvotes

Seeking a mental health support group. I am having constant anxiety and fear of something which I don't know.


r/UGA 22h ago

UGA Meta Georgia stuff to get rid of

Thumbnail gallery
1 Upvotes

r/UGA 22h ago

UGA Meta Georgia stuff to get rid of

Post image
1 Upvotes

r/UGA 1d ago

Question UGA Schedule Help

8 Upvotes

Wanted to get some opinions on whether this schedule is manageable. I was really hoping to have Fridays off since I'm an out of state student, and having a long weekend would make it easier to visit home every now and then.

My only real concern is that my MIS class doesn't end until 6:00 PM. For anyone who's taken evening classes, was it manageable, or did you find it exhausting?


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Parking question

4 Upvotes

E11 river road north or east deck?? Which parking deck is better?


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Econ AB vs BBA

2 Upvotes

Hey y’all. I am currently an incoming first year, and I have the AB in econ as my intended major and setup my current schedule for that. The AB seemed to be better for me as I could potentially get a higher GPA than the BBA, and I could have more freedom in the classes I took.

However, I am still unsure if I should do the BBA in econ instead. I plan to go to law school, become a JAG, and then work in private law. Nevertheless, I worry that if law school doesn’t work out, the AB will hurt my job prospects.

Also, stuff like the Corsair Society seem really interesting, and since I am in the Honors College, I worry that I will be missing on major opportunities by taking the AB route instead of the BBA.

Any advice from y’all? Should I wait to change my major until after my 1st semester?


r/UGA 2d ago

Question WF on course after submitting application

0 Upvotes

Hello,
I’ve applied for Spring 27 as a transfer applicant, however I took a summer class and I have a WF (withdrawal fail) on my transcript. Does that affect my chances to get into UGA? The WF isn’t shown on the transcript I sent over, as I submitted it when it was in progress.


r/UGA 2d ago

Question Thoughts on my schedule

Post image
6 Upvotes

Freshman year (2nd year with credits) intended finance major planning to apply to honors college first semester.


r/UGA 2d ago

Question room change

3 Upvotes

Hi, just wondering if I swap rooms with someone else who’s also willing to swap do you have to email housing? And also is it basically guaranteed that it will go through?


r/UGA 2d ago

Question Easy courses to fufil cultural diversity requirement for CAES?

5 Upvotes

I was thinking of doing FILM 2130, but the meeting time/instructor is not posted yet. What can I take that is an easy A + interesting that can fulfill this requirement?


r/UGA 2d ago

Question Has any other commuters gotten E26 and how was it?

2 Upvotes

So I applied for a parking spot late put S14, E12, E07, E26, and N02 on my wait-list figured one other those would hopefully get me a spot and I guess I was right cause while I was hoping for S14 I got E26 which like I could be worse, it's roughly a 25-30 minute walk if I don't catch a bus but yeah. So my current question is should I just take the spot or say no and hope I can get something better at this point. If anyone else has experience with E26 it would be great to hear how it was, so far my schedule has class every day but I'm mostly just worried for Tuesday and Thursday cause those have a 9:55am class in SLC, meanwhile Wednesday and Friday are only 11:35 classes in the geology building and ceder street building respectively, and while my Monday class is in north campus-ish being in joe brown it's not till roughly 3pm so the walk even if I can't get a bus isn't an issue.


r/UGA 3d ago

Question I get 100% tuition free bc of the Miller scholarship, but tuition is still showing up in my balance?

Post image
26 Upvotes

r/UGA 3d ago

Question Is a bike worth it for transportation?

12 Upvotes

I’m an incoming freshman and won’t be bringing a car to campus. I plan on using UGA buses and ACC Transit to get around, but I’m wondering if it’s worth getting a bike. My main worry is that someone could cut the lock and it might get stolen.

For those of you without cars, do you find a bike useful as a backup when bus schedules don’t line up, or is it not really necessary?


r/UGA 3d ago

Question GS Armstrong, KSU, or UGA?

2 Upvotes

Hello, I am a college freshman who currently goes to University of North Georgia Oconee 100% online and I am planning to transfer and go in-person to either GS Armstrong, KSU, or UGA. I have no clear career path. I do not know what I want to do. I was considering Radiology at GS and just volunteering at local hospitals near me to get a better idea of what that environment is like. I don't know the major I want from KSU or UGA.

I don't know what I like in life in terms of a career. I mean, I think I like helping people. I HATE corporate/9-5 lifestyles. I love leisure activities like travel, hanging out, seeing friends, trying new food. I'm sure everyone does but I don't know. I've made lists of "do's and don'ts" and preferences in my work style. Not the type of person to want to take work home with me. I also am a huge night owl, I work third shift and have always been the type of person that hates mornings and wakes up after 2 PM. I am social and can light up a room or make someone's experience better. I've only worked in retail so I have no idea what a career is like. Traffic kind of drains me a lot. I live in Buford next to the mall and the traffic eats me alive everyday. I know KSU is similar but my brain is basically like: "Well, if you live here, at least you have a goal to complete" and I can deal with it, if that makes sense. I also like animals a lot, but I don't know if I could incorporate that into a career. I also hate dress code, but can adjust accordingly. I feel like scrubs would be comfortable, at least more comfy than a corporate outfit.

Since I grew up in the Atlanta area, I think I want a change of scenery, and that's why I'm kind of leaning more towards GS Armstrong. However, KSU is close to me and UGA is right next to the Oconee Campus. I have no idea what I wanna do. I'm going to tour each of these campuses but I don't think a college tour can tell you everything about how the experience is like. I've taken SEVERAL college major assessments on what I should possibly do and I keep getting healthcare, science, or geographical/environmental science.

I was thinking about doing UGA's Ocean Science major because I love the beach and learning the science behind it but once again, I don't know.

I feel like if I choose one school or one program, then I am missing out on another opportunity. My brain is trying to combine or do everything at once and it's very overwhelming.

Any advice is extremely appreciated! Seriously, I am so mentally drained from trying to make a decision.


r/UGA 3d ago

Question When will housing costs show on my bill?

Post image
5 Upvotes

I have tuition and student fees on here but does anyone know around when they’ll have my housing costs on there? Also when they’ll apply scholarships and financial aid?

EDIT: nvm y’all I emailed the bursar office and they said it would be posted overnight to my account and scholarships and aid will be applied next month.
Just wanted to let y’all know in case anyone else was wondering too.


r/UGA 3d ago

Question Instagram Question

4 Upvotes

So im an upcoming freshman and added a bunch of people on instagram and a bunch have added me too but none of us have said anything to each other. Is that usually how it goes or are we supposed to say something?


r/UGA 3d ago

Question Biking from Zell Miller to Driftmier

5 Upvotes

Hi, I’m transferring this semester to UGA but I had a class change that would take 20 mins and I’m not sure I’d get there in time without being covered in sweat/exhausted or trying to use the buses during class changes. I heard biking was a good alternative but I was wondering if anyone had any routes from Zell Miller to Driftmier and routes back to Zell Miller? Thank you


r/UGA 3d ago

Question No car - how is the bus system?

5 Upvotes

I’m an incoming UGA freshman, and I’m planning on not bringing a car to campus my first year. I know the UGA buses are pretty good for getting around campus, but I’m curious about using ACC Transit to get off campus (grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, etc.).

How reliable is the ACC Transit system? Are the buses usually on time, or should I expect frequent delays?
Also, what app(s) do you all use to track buses and plan routes? I’ve seen people mention myStop, Google Maps, and the UGA app, but I’m not sure which one is the most accurate or easiest to use.

Any tips or things you know about ACC Transit would be appreciated. Thanks!


r/UGA 3d ago

Question Study partner

3 Upvotes

Was wondering if there's anyone out there who'd wanna study with me for acct 2, macro econ, german 2, and business math : )

I'm gonna most likely be studying in Rutherford or the science library.

Also out here tryna make new friends, so let me know! This is for the coming semester btw


r/UGA 4d ago

Question Does anyone know if you can get removed from MUSI 4740 after auditions?

5 Upvotes

Basically the title, MUSI 4740 is the UGA Symphony Orchestra, and I know you have to audition for it, but I don’t know if you can’t get in because of a bad audition.


r/UGA 4d ago

Question I forgot to accept my parking permit, what are the chances I still get one of the waitlist

1 Upvotes

I was assigned a E04 West Deck spot and totally forgot to accept my permit. Does anyone know the chance I have to still get this spot off the waitlist?