PNW’s intercampus shuttle service launched on Nov. 28. With the use of a university ID, students, faculty and staff can access free transportation between the Hammond and Westville campuses.

Two 24 passenger buses will depart from both campuses eleven times per day from 8:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Buses leaving from the Hammond campus depart from the SUL circular drive and buses leaving from the Westville campus depart from the DSSAC circular drive. The transit system will continue through the remainder of the Fall semester until December 16. After winter break, the transit system will resume on January 9 at the start of the Spring semester.

Assistant Vice Chancellor Wes Lukoshus said that the transit was discussed during the unification process of both PNW campuses.

“Everybody understood that logistically if students wanted to take classes and if faculty were willing to teach classes at both campuses, we needed to figure out how we [could] serve their needs,” Lukoshus said.

According to Lukoshus, Brian Miller, director of Public Safety and Transportation, played a key role in researching and gathering information about the transportation service for PNW. The research helped Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Stephen Turner to create plans for the transit system, along with help from his staff. Turner and his staff used communication and the data found during the research to find drivers and buses. The plan was then presented to the Senior Leadership Team of PNW, who then decided to establish the transit system.

Sean Simon, a senior taking classes at both campuses, believes the transit system is a fantastic idea and understands the struggles that come with driving to both campuses, such as fuel costs.

“Commuting can be hard and taxing in a lot of capacities. Having the opportunity to have a bus that will just drive you back and forth is kind of nice,” Simon said. “I think that Purdue Northwest will benefit from the transit system once people start utilizing the system.”

Lukoshus is confident that the transit system will not only benefit PNW but also the campuses and students by bringing in further connections and opportunities.

“Students have the best of both worlds. They have the opportunity to learn on both campuses and gain learning opportunities that they may not have had otherwise,” Lukoshus said. “It is another step that the university is implementing to create the best learning experience and opportunity for students.”

Simon agreed, saying he has found that taking classes at both campuses has been rewarding for him. He has met friends and learned to manage his time.

“You can enrich your major studies by not having the same professors year in and year out,” Simon said. “I feel like being at both campuses has been a great opportunity to be delved in different cultures.”

The transit system is a great way for both of the campuses to intertwine together, according to Lukoshus.

“Eleven times per day, a bus comes back and forth between campuses. That is 11 different ways to bring people together to each campus,” Lukoshus said.

Lukoshus believes that there are many opportunities forthcoming with the transit system and said he has already received positive feedback from faculty and staff.

“Purdue University Northwest is trying to take care of our people and is trying to be as accommodating as we possibly can,” Lukoshus said. “Try it and see if it is something that [you] would like to do.”