OUT

OXFORD, MISS.—With three new routes, extended hours, and larger buses, the Oxford-University Transit now covers more of Oxford and is free of charge for University of Mississippi students, faculty, and staff.

With recent improvements, there are more reasons to ride the OUT, according to the Green Initiative conducted by the UM. The current public transportation service is convenient, on time, saves money on gas, and has new routes including Old Taylor Road and Anderson Road.

In a previous meeting at City Hall, the OUT Commission proposed a new route on the agenda. The commission is considering including Molly Bar Road in their daily route.

UM students who feel decals and the price of gas are too expensive may find the O.U.T. to be a more convenient way of getting to their destinations. Senior UM student, Kendra Harper said that she started using the OUT when gas prices increased. “With the influx of freshman students, parking is always terrible, so I decided to use public transportation to save my gas and the frustration of finding a park," Harper said.

Ron Biggs, General Manager of OUT, said the goal of the OUT is to accommodate all riders and to ensure a safe and inexpensive trip. “We have about 2,700 riders a day,” he said.

The transit is free for U of M students, faculty, and staff if their Ole Miss id is shown. For adults the fee is $1 per ride. For the elderly and disabled the fee is 50 cents, and for K-12 students the fee is 75 cents. Monthly passes also are available. For adults the passes are $30, for elderly and disabled, the price is $15, and for K-12 students, $25.

Monthly passes also are available at the OUT office located on the corner of University Avenue and Bramlett Boulevard and also in the Oxford City Hall.

New routes were made effective Aug. 15, according to the city of Oxford’s official website. The routes are listed online indicated by blue, red, green, and yellow map routes.

According to a recent article in the Daily Mississippian, UM students were concerned the buses would have them late for class. “For those who use a smart-phone, the next bus can be tracked in real time by visiting the city of Oxford’s official website,” Biggs said.

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Sources:

General Manager of O.U.T., Ron Biggs

662-234-3540

Kendra Harper

662-436-4486

keharper@olemiss.edu

Oxfordms.net “Oxford-University Transit Commission”

www.olemiss.edu “Green Initiative”

www.thedmonline.com/article/out-bus-build-new-facility “Current student opinion of O.U.T.”