Students without cars or those looking to save money on gas and parking, might consider mass transit. Both the public Sun Tran bus system and UA CatTran offer transportation services on campus and throughout Tucson.

The two services work together to provide convenient routes for students.

“”We work close with (Sun Tran) to make sure we have a good service to get students to and from campus,”” said Bill Davidson, marketing manager for Parking and Transportation Services.

CatTran is a shuttle service run and funded by Parking and Transportation Services. Shuttles run from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“”It offers transportation around campus and shuttles in campus,”” said Glenn Grafton, shuttle program coordinator for Parking and Transportation Services.

The shuttle has routes spanning the entire campus, as well as Fourth Avenue and the shopping center at Broadway Boulevard and Campbell Avenue. These routes are free for all riders.

Many students without parking passes utilize the CatTran to get to and from campus.

“”It’s really easy,”” said creative writing junior Kelsie Cady, who uses the CatTran to get to campus and back. “”Parking is kind of a nightmare and costs money.””

Other students use the CatTran to escape the heat while traveling around campus.

Physiology senior Liz Marchionne takes the CatTran to get to her job at the BIO5 Institute.

“”I park my car, go to class and take the CatTran to work,”” Marchionne said. “”I usually walk, but it’s kind of hot. (The CatTran) is much easier.””

The CatTran has designated and scheduled stops around campus. Students can find a shuttle guide online to plan their route.

“”So far it’s run on time for me. I haven’t had any problems,”” Cady said.

CatTran also offers services for commuter students, who can buy parking passes for specified park and ride lots and then be shuttled into campus. The passes for these lots are less than half the price of on-campus parking passes.

For students looking to travel beyond campus, Sun Tran provides 13 routes that serve the UA. Buses run 365 days a year.

Pre-computer sciences junior Joseph Gutierrez uses the Sun Tran most weekdays.

“”Considering I live off campus, I use (Sun Tran) every time I have to get to campus,”” Gutierrez said. “”There’s no transfer on my way up here. Just get on, get off.””

Students can buy bus passes for $3 a day or a semester U-Pass. Parking and Transportation Services subsidizes 50 percent of the U-Pass cost and offers them for $88 per semester or $141 for the academic year.

“”It’s a really good deal,”” said Kandi Young, communications manager for Sun Tran.

Gutierrez said using the bus saves him money on parking, especially with the U-Pass discount.

Riding the bus can also be an easy way to leave campus and explore the city. The Sun Tran has routes going to the movies, the malls or downtown.

“”If you only have a bike, you can only get so far,”” Young said. “”It’s a great way to see Tucson.””