Posted: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:26 PM - 9,049 Readers

By: Audrey White

The Enfield Road and Lake Austin shuttle routes will continue to run despite rumors that they may end, said Capital Metro officials.

Representatives from Cap Metro and the University have denied the validity of posters that surfaced in the downtown area last week that claimed the routes would end Sept. 1.

The two shuttle routes service the South Campus area, running from west of MoPac Boulevard into central campus.

“There were some things posted on the bus stops for the ER, and we don’t know who posted them. But it didn’t come from the University or Capital Metro,” said Bobby Stone, director of parking and transportation for UT. “That information is incorrect.”

Cap Metro spokeswoman Misty Whited said UT shuttle services, which operate under Cap Metro, are part of Cap Metro’s ServicePlan2020, a long-term plan intended to increase efficiency along all routes. She said that although nothing has been decided, there may be changes to shuttles in instances where they would improve the routes for riders.

“Something that’s been talked about is that the [Enfield Road] and [Lake Austin] routes have low ridership, and we have some mainline routes in the same areas that have high ridership,” Whited said. “We’re looking at trimming the West Campus shuttle routes and improving service on the comparable mainline routes.”

However, she said there are no immediate plans to cancel or alter any UT routes. She also denied rumors that Cap Metro was considering shutting down the E-Bus, a shuttle that carries students from campus to downtown areas after regular hours, Thursday through Saturday.

Student Government President Liam O’Rourke said SG representatives are part of the Cap Metro renegotiation committee that must approve of any changes to bus routes before they are made.

“A lot of things have been thrown out in those meetings, but it’s like a wish list, and no one is going to get everything they want,” O’Rourke said. “We’re going to get the most we can for students...and make sure students get adequate service wherever they are.”

*  Story Contributed by: Audrey White