The city of Wichita’s transit department will be assuming operations of the Shocker bus service beginning Aug. 17. There will be a total of four Wichita State University routes, beginning Aug. 17. 

• Main Campus Circulator (Route 21A): This is a circular route around the Wichita State main campus. It will run from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Metroplex (Route 202A): This route will connect the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex to the main campus. It follows Perimeter Road around the main campus and Mike Oatman Drive, to 21^st Street and Oliver, and continuing to the Metroplex. This service will run from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday with a frequency of 25 minutes. 
• WSU Tech (Route 21): This connects the main campus to the Wichita downtown transit center for transfer to additional routes serving the Wichita area, connecting multiple WSU and WSU Tech campuses. Route 21 provides campus residents excellent access to daily needs of grocery, shopping, dining and entertainment. Service hours are from 5 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Monday through Friday at a 45-minute frequency, and 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays with hourly frequency.
• WSU South (Route 202): This route connects the main campus to WSU South, near Harry and Oliver streets, and the Metroplex. There are also transfer opportunities for six additional bus routes along Oliver. This route runs from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday with hourly frequency. There will be stops at Aspen, Tall Oaks, and 2909 apartment complexes.

Besides Shockers, the environment will also benefit from the service changes. Each bus will be battery-powered, beginning in October.  Other perks of the new Shocker buses include up to three bike racks per bus, two wheelchair tie-downs, and 24 seats. Riders will still have the option to stand using balance handles. 

“This service is a natural extension of our strong partnership with the city of Wichita. I think students are going to be very pleased with some of the upgrades. The bike racks in particular have been a frequent request for our office, so we’re glad that will be part of the service now,” said Ellen Abbey, Wichita State’s director of auxiliary services.

Wichita Transit passengers should download the MyStop app to their smartphones or computers. The app offers information on bus routes, GPS tracking of buses, and information on delays or changes to routes.

• Apple App Store
• Google Play
• Desktop

Information is also available on the Wichita Transit website. 

Bus services and all Wichita Transit bus services come at no additional charge for staff, faculty, and students. However, all Shockers MUST show their Wichita State ID card when they board the bus. Guests and visitors to the Wichita State campus will need to pay to ride the existing routes of 21 and 202, but everyone (including the general public) will be able to ride routes 21A and 202A at no additional charge.  

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Wichita Transit has implemented several policies for the sake of the health and safety of passengers and drivers.

• Touchpoint surfaces of all buses are wiped down with a disinfectant after every trip.
• Bus interiors are sprayed with a disinfectant after each day as they cycle through routes.
• If a driver has a concern, buses will be swapped out immediately.
• Passengers are encouraged to social distance by leaving an empty row between them and keeping 6 feet of social distancing between stops.
• Riders are asked to avoid using public transportation if they feel ill.
• Customers are encouraged to pay fairs with bus passes rather than exchanging cash or change.
• Passengers are asked to exit through the rear doors unless a ramp assist is necessary.
• Many buses have hand sanitizer stations available for passenger use.

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Wichita State is distinctive for opening pathways to applied learning, applied research and career opportunities, alongside unsurpassed classroom, laboratory and online education. The university's beautiful 330-acre main campus is a supportive, rapidly expanding learn-work-live-play environment, where students gain knowledge and credentials to prepare for fulfilling lives and careers. Students enjoy a wide selection of day, evening and summer courses in more than 200 areas of study at the main campus and other locations throughout the metro area and online. WSU's approximately 16,000 students come from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 other countries. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.