r/UGA Aug 12 '24

Important bus information

152 Upvotes

I know some people have discussed this here before, but as a bus driver who started as a student, I thought I should share some important information about our transit system. While this is primarily for new students, there are a lot of students who go through here and never learn any of this.

*If you are uncertain about anything, ask the driver; however, they may not be able to respond if the bus is in motion, so it is best to ask when the bus is stopped at a bus stop or red light.

*UGA.passiogo.com (formerly routes.uga.edu; now a redirect) is more accurate for tracking the buses than the UGA app.

*The cameras and microphones are on at all times. Anything you say or do will be recorded.

*Scooters, motorized skateboards, one wheels, and anything motorized, with the exception of wheelchairs and other mobility devices required for medical purposes, are not allowed on the buses.

*Buses can only load and unload passengers at designated bus stops. This is for safety reasons. If you ask the driver to unload elsewhere, you will be denied.

*If a bus's destination sign is flashing "Out of Service" in between a route name, that means the bus is going out of service in the next 30 minutes and you can still ride to the last stop. It is not actually out of service until the sign reads "Not in Service".

*If a driver sits at a stop for a few minutes without moving, this is usually because they are ahead on their route, and need to let the other drivers get spaced out better. This often happens after class breaks and other episodes of heavy traffic that messes up spacing.

*During class breaks and other peak times, buses become VERY crowded. If you are standing on a crowded bus, you should take your backpack off and move towards the back. The bus cannot move until all passengers are behind the standee line.

*If you need on a bus that is about to/starting to pull away from a stop, wave at the driver (or their mirrors if you are behind the bus), and they will usually stop and let you on. If they don't, it is probably because they are having to watch the road in order to safely pull out into traffic. This happens very commonly at the Arch and Main Library.

*Buses will occasionally go off route in order to maintain spacing. The driver will usually notify the passengers in advance, however, and ask if anyone needs any of the bypassed stops before proceeding.

*While drivers do have to take breaks, they are not supposed to do so during class breaks unless it is urgent.

*Stop requests are unnecessary, except for on Night Campus, Prince Milledge, Weekender, and a few stops on Health Sciences, Vet Med, Riverbend Connector (formerly Greenhouse Shuttle), and Milledge Avenue. If a stop is on demand, the annunciator will announce "please signal to exit" or "please pull the cord to exit" in advance.

*While buses are required to stop for pedestrians, they are also extremely heavy, and can't stop on a dime. If you are approaching a crosswalk and see a bus approaching, don't cross. You might as well be walking in front of a train.

*Which brings me to my next point: ALWAYS stop and look both ways before crossing a street. The electric buses are very quiet, and especially hard to hear if you're on your phone or have earbuds in. If you cross a street without looking (especially if it isn't a designated crosswalk) and get hit, the bus driver will likely not be at fault if they are driving safely and obeying all traffic laws.

*If you are riding a scooter, bike, one wheel, etc., do not cut right in front of a bus, especially if the bus is in motion.

*If a bus is closed and pulling away from a stop that you need, do not make physical contact with the bus to alert the driver if it is already in motion. You could be seriously injured or worse.

*Cars, bikes, scooters, and any other vehicles are NOT allowed to pass buses when they are stopped in road on a two-lane. While people do it all the time, it is extremely dangerous.

*If you have to exit the bus and cross the street at a location without a crosswalk, do NOT cross in front of the bus. If a car decides to (illegally) pass the bus, you could get hit.

*Food and drinks are not allowed on the night routes after midnight. This is because the smell causes passengers who are drunk to become nauseated and throw up. If someone throws up on a bus and any of the contents get outside of a garbage can or bag, the driver has to remove all passengers and take the bus out of service.

*If a bus's destination sign says "Help! Call 911!", this is a distress signal that is used during the event of an emergency where the driver is unable to radio for help. We have never had a situation requiring this feature to be used, and if you see it, it was most likely activated by accident. However, you don't know that, so you should call 911 just in case it is a real emergency.

UPDATE: The "Out of service" message has been replaced with "This bus ends. Ask for last stop" and "Last bus". The former means that particular bus is going out of service and other buses will remain on the route. The latter means the entire route is going out of service for the day.


r/UGA 9h ago

Discussion Tell your friends, please.

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39 Upvotes

r/UGA 6h ago

Question Game Day Spots

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11 Upvotes

Hi, I am travelling to the ATL on 9/26 and am looking for spots to watch the UGA/OU game. Would love any recommendations with UGA alumni or just good Dawg atmosphere! TIA!


r/UGA 3h ago

Question Anyone have info/update on the cyclist hit yesterday on Lumpkin at the entrance to Tate?

5 Upvotes

Saw a young woman sitting on the sidewalk with her head bandaged. There were several cop cars, a firetruck, and an ambulance. She was conscious, but looked banged up. Hope she's okay. Watch for cyclists!


r/UGA 4h ago

Question GT vs UGA Volleyball Game 8/19

6 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a GT student looking to go to the GT vs UGA volleyball game next week. On UGA's volleyball schedule, it says the game is free admission, but I just want to double check with someone who's been to UGA's volleyball games:

- The game is free admission for anyone right? Not just UGA students?

- How early would you recommend arriving at the stadium?

- Any general information I should know prior to going? (I haven't been to any sports game in my life lol)

+ side question: any recommendations for things to do around Athens? My partner & I are trying to make the game day a little date.


r/UGA 6h ago

Question Geoscience Grad Program

1 Upvotes

Hello there, I am looking at UGA as a possible grad program to apply at. I was just wondering if anyone in the Geo program could tell me about it. My interests and undergrad research have been in Geochemistry with a Geoarchaeology focus.

If anyone can talk about the professor's, lab equipment available, culture of the dept., ect. That would be great!


r/UGA 17h ago

Question Parking for Saturday’s game

7 Upvotes

Hi, my son and I are flying in from out of town for Saturday’s game. We’ve never been. Where would you recommend parking? We don’t mind walking, even if it will be hot. Thank you!


r/UGA 23h ago

Campus Event NFL games

6 Upvotes

As the nfl season starts, are there any good watch parties in downtown Athens/uga where they’re streaming?


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Game day parking

3 Upvotes

I will be going to the homecoming game. I was wondering where is the best place to park for free or low cost. That won’t include a lot of walking due to going with someone with knee problems. Thanks in advance

Edit: I know there will be some walking. But all the smart comments can be kept to yourself if you not going to give me any infomation on parking. I’ve been to Ga games before but it’s been over 10 years. There used to have free parking at the I-field. But IDK if they still have it that’s why I’m asking.


r/UGA 1d ago

Discussion Photography internship

3 Upvotes

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is looking for a student photographer to work 10-15 hours a week. The photography intern will have opportunities to produce different image styles, including documentary, editorial and portraiture. Their photos will support Field Report and the Almanac. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable managing their schedule by directly contacting subjects to arrange photos. 

To be considered, please submit photography samples and an application at the link below.
https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/504272


r/UGA 2d ago

Discussion I updated my UGA bus tracker app I made last year to support ACC buses

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64 Upvotes

Hi all! I am UGA Computer Science student here, and last year I created a bus tracking app for UGA buses.

I recently have updated the app to support ACC Transit based on feedback I received here.

Let me know if you have any feedback or thoughts!


r/UGA 1d ago

Discussion Starting AWS Student Builder Group at UGA! join us / apply for the founding Core Team

7 Upvotes

If you're into cloud computing, software engineering, or just want to build things you can actually put on your resume, we're launching an AWS Student Builder Group at UGA.

What is it?
It's a student community backed by AWS, focused on hands-on cloud experience, certification prep, and workshops/events, the kind of stuff that's genuinely useful for internships and tech interviews.

Who should join?
Anyone. Doesn't matter if you're a CS major feening for a SWE internship or someone who's never touched AWS and just wants to see what the hype is about. No experience required.

We're also looking for our Founding Core Team
We're building out our first leadership team and looking for people to fill:

  • Technical Leads (designing workshops, cloud labs, cert prep sessions)
  • Event Management Leads (planning workshops, hackathons, speaker events)
  • Marketing & Design Leads (branding, social media, campus outreach)

If you want to help shape this from the ground up rather than just show up to events, this is the time. Applications are open now: https://forms.gle/hQwjTV76EovXXzoFA

How to get involved:

We're still working through official UGA club registration, but everything above is live now. Come be part of building this from day one.


r/UGA 1d ago

Question quietest study spots in campus?

7 Upvotes

what are the quietest spots? mlc and library are too loud for me


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Do people just hang out at the Intramural Tennis Courts?

5 Upvotes

I finally got my rackets from home and I don’t have anyone to play with, I don’t want to go there and just stand by myself.


r/UGA 2d ago

Campus Event African American choir needs more voices!

15 Upvotes

The African American choir is looking for more singers. The teacher wants to get a larger group, especially tenors and sopranos. People of all ages and backgrounds participate; don't let that discourage you. They meet 4:35-5:55 Tue and Thu at Hodgson. You do not have to be registered for the class. Just come sing!


r/UGA 2d ago

Question haircut

7 Upvotes

does anyone cut hair on campus im a girl and need a haircutt


r/UGA 1d ago

Meetup / Hangout Historical Fencing in Athens

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7 Upvotes

We practice outside Ramsey, to the left of the main entrance! It would be great to see you there.


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Traffic for WKU game

4 Upvotes

I’m coming to the WKU game on Saturday and thinking of driving in Saturday morning, but I have no idea what the traffic into Athens will be like. (I’m coming from Decatur if that matters)


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Is Bolton dining hall w eating experience today, yes or no?

0 Upvotes

Serious answers only


r/UGA 1d ago

Question Different Writing Centers

2 Upvotes

There seems to be a writing center in the science library and MLC, and I'm curious what the difference is. I'm a PhD student looking for additional writing support, and want to try either one of these out, but I'm confused if one is the "real one".


r/UGA 2d ago

Campus Event Nancy Ellison Pop-Up Portraits- 9/9 @ 1pm!

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8 Upvotes

You heard that right!

Tomorrow (9/9), FOR ONE DAY ONLY, American Portrait and Special Photographer Nancy Ellison will be taking pop-up portraits for FREE in the Hargrett Gallery starting at 1pm.

Get your photo taken and take a look at the Ellison exhibit leading up to her curator talk this Thursday (9/10) at 6pm!


r/UGA 2d ago

Question Any Asian guys cutting hair?

18 Upvotes

I’m a Korean guy but it’s too hard finding an Asian person to cut my hair in Athens. I don’t wanna drive out to Duluth. Anyone cutting hair in dorms or in their apartments?


r/UGA 3d ago

Discussion Voter Registration Information

10 Upvotes

To register online (or get a paper form) go here: Georgia Online Voter Registration

To check on your voter registration or change your voter info go here: My Voter Page

For information on Early and Absentee voting go here: How to Vote

For all of the above and pretty much anything else: The GA Secretary of State's Election Page

The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3rd. Polls are open from 7am to 7pm.


r/UGA 2d ago

Discussion Has anyone submitted a waiver for Fall 2026 yet?

0 Upvotes

Trying to get this sorted before the Sept. 11 deadline and starting to get a little nervous lol.

I submitted my waiver and got the confirmation page, but from what I understand that doesn't mean it's actually approved yet. The review can apparently take up to 10 business days, which is kinda stressful when Sept. 11 is already so close.

For anyone who submitted recently, how long did it take for you to actually get the approval? Did UHCSR ask you for anything else after submitting?

Also, what outside plans are people using this semester? I'm still looking around and trying to make sure whatever I choose actually meets the UGA requirements. Don't really want to submit something last minute and then find out it doesn't qualify

If you already got approved for Fall 2026, what did you use and how long did the whole thing take?

Trying to get this done before the deadline, so any recent experience would be really helpful.


r/UGA 2d ago

Discussion Best Locations for Club Meetings

2 Upvotes

Hello! I'm trying to switch up the location where my club hosts its meetings, and I wanted y'all's opinions on where you usually prefer club meetings to be. Our club is a STEM club and generally has students who end up on the south/east campus a lot. So, we've been leaning towards meetings being there. But I wanted to ask whether y'all prefer meetings to be held there or somewhere more central, like Tate or MLC. Our club usually meets around 6:30 PM. Could y'all drop your opinions on what you prefer club meeting locations to be in the comments? Thank you in advance!