The Circulator Is Now on Shuttle Duty

By EDWARD M. YOON

Aug. 25, 1998 12 AM PT

A new shuttle service to transport students, faculty, staff and visitors around the Cal State Northridge campus free of charge was formally dedicated Monday.

Named the CSUN Campus Circulator, the shuttle service features two intersecting routes that cover the northern and southern portions of the university, as well as morning and afternoon connections to the Northridge Metrolink station, said CSUN President Blenda Wilson.

“This new system, which will transport students from various areas on the campus to campus parking lots, is the closest thing to having their cars parked just outside the door of the building they’re going to class in,” Wilson said, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the University Reflecting Pool.

The service, which began operation Monday, is the result of an agreement among the university, the city Department of Transportation and Chatsworth-based West Valley Smart Shuttle, which will run the system, Wilson said.

The free service is funded by the Department of Parking and Transportation Services at CSUN, said Edward C. Ball, the department’s associate director.

Dave Daley, general manager of West Valley Smart Shuttle, said four buses seating up to 22 passengers each will be used for the service.

Two buses will travel Route A, 1.9 miles in a clockwise direction around the core of the campus--defined by Plummer Street on the north, Lindley Avenue on the east, Nordhoff Street on the south and Darby Avenue on the west, Daley said.

Another bus will cover Route B, also 1.9 miles, clockwise around the northern portion of campus--defined by Lassen Street on the north, Zelzah Avenue on the east, Plummer Street on the south and Lindley Avenue on the west, he said.

The Metrolink connection bus meets all trains arriving at the Northridge station, at 8775 Wilbur Ave. near Parthenia Street, from 7:15 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:15 to 5:40 p.m., weekdays.

Shuttle service for routes A and B is available Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.