Subscribe to RSSGame Day shuttle services allow for complete fan experience
(Photo by Tira Garfield)
By Deanna Burrell
Traditionally, the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Louie Line is not in operation during the weekend. But in attempts to accommodate increased football game attendance, a game day shuttle has been implemented for the season.
In addition to lowering season tickets to the football games earlier this summer, a new bus system is being offered this year on the Saturdays of home football games. They are available for use to the entire community.
“We want to improve the way fans get to the game and deliver a great game day atmosphere that families and NAU students in the Flagstaff community can enjoy,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos.
Many students have already taken advantage of the bus services the past two home games.
“It was nice that they have a bus to take you to the game,” said freshman Christine Angel, a fitness wellness major.
Shuttle services start running four hours prior to the start of football games and will continue to run for 30 minutes following the end of the game. Game day shuttles continue running at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
This new service is popular among students because they do not have to walk, and the wait for the bus is rather short.
“It [shuttle service] was good,” said freshman Sophie Menzies, a fitness major. “I liked that I didn’t have to walk and it didn’t take long.”
There are two shuttle routes during game day: the Blue Route and the Gold Route. The Blue Route runs up to the north side of campus and has two pick-up and drop-off points: one at the Bookstore bus stop and the other is the back parking lot of Reilly Hall.
The Blue Route shuttle will ultimately drop riders of at the Walkup Skydome.
The Gold Route runs south campus and picks up in parking lot 62. From there, the Gold Route drops of at fanfest, the Walkup Skydome and then continues in that circuit.
“[Shuttle buses] have been frequently used the last two games and our numbers are up this year compared to this time last year” said Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing and Special Events Rocky Silvestri.
Riders are encouraged to park in the new San Francisco Parking Garage for the Blue Route shuttle and parking lot 62 for the Gold Route. Parking in both of these garages is free for game days.
As Silvestri stated, “A simple answer to [the question] have we seen an increase in attendance? Yes.”
