New Shuttle Service Links WMU Students to Downtown Kalamazoo
A new shuttle service has been launched to connect students of Western Michigan University (WMU) to downtown Kalamazoo. The initiative, marked by a bright teal bus branded with the slogan “Bring The Juice,” aims to enhance student access to the city’s amenities and activities.
The shuttle will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, providing free transportation for all WMU students. It departs from Rood Hall at 2101 Wilbur Ave. on campus, with two primary stops: in front of the Catalyst Building at 100 W. Michigan Ave., and at the corner of South Street and Kalamazoo Mall Drive. The bus can accommodate 30 passengers at a time.
Russ Kavalhuna, President of WMU, highlighted the significance of this service, stating, “You had a couple choices. One was to walk, one was to not go. This bridge that we’re talking about did not exist.” Walking from Rood Hall to the Catalyst Building is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes, according to Google Maps.
Shuttle Schedule and Accessibility
The shuttle will operate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Notably, the bus will exclusively serve LBS students from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, facilitating transport to LBS courses held downtown. The exact frequency of stops at each location has not been disclosed.
The initiative is made possible through a collaboration involving the Monroe-Brown Foundation, the Hall Foundation Downtown Initiative Fund, the United Way of South Central Michigan, and Sleeping Giant Capital. A ceremony to officially launch the shuttle took place outside Rood Hall on October 23, 2023.
Future Plans and Local Engagement
The shuttle service aims to prioritize experiential learning opportunities for students. Doug Lepisto, co-founder of Sleeping Giant Capital, emphasized the connection between students and the investment firm, stating, “For now, the priority for the shuttle service will be experiential learning.” He also noted that expanding the shuttle’s operations to a daily service would require further partnerships with downtown businesses.
In conjunction with this initiative, some local businesses will offer exclusive incentives and discounts to encourage students to explore Kalamazoo. According to a press release from WMU, these partnerships will enhance the overall experience for students, fostering a sense of community and engagement with the city.
The introduction of this shuttle service represents a significant step forward in improving student access to downtown Kalamazoo, addressing a long-standing challenge and opening new avenues for connection and exploration.
